Autoport Workers Strike - QP
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Speaker, let's talk about the economy. Workers in our province have our backs day in and day out. Unfortunately, their employers don't always have their backs. Look at the Autoport workers, for instance. Less than eight hours into failed conciliation leading to the now 21-day strike at the Autoport in Eastern Passage, the employer brought in scab labour. Because our province does not prohibit the use of scabs, the Autoport workers - everyday Nova Scotians being slammed by the cost of living and wages that don't keep up - are now negotiating for a fair deal in a weakened position.
Is this what the Premier meant by a "Better Pay Cheque Guarantee"?
THE PREMIER « » : I want to recognize what an incredibly difficult situation the labour dispute is. Three weeks is an awfully long time. They are everyday Nova Scotians. In fact, I had a chance to share with some of them today that that's where my grandfather spent his career - at the Autoport. I lost my grandfather at work one day. He suffered a heart attack in the lunchroom there. It's a small province. It's a small world. I have a lot of emotions around the Autoport, and I have great respect for the people who work at the Autoport, and the incredible services they provide.
I'm hopeful that this can be resolved at the table and people can get back to work.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : I'm glad to hear that, because the Premier has an important role he could play here. Jess, a worker at the Autoport, wrote:
Imagine reaching out to your company and asking for a fair and equal contract for all employees, a fair and equal chance at getting back to living without the fear of losing it all if there's just one unexpected bill or emergency. Imagine being told you don't deserve it. Imagine watching scab workers come within hours of going on strike and trying to replace you and the job you've been doing for years.
I'll table that.
Will the Premier use the legislative tools available to ensure that workers like Jess actually have a shot at negotiating a fair deal?
THE PREMIER « » : Obviously those are difficult things to hear from somebody like Jess, who just wants to get up, go to work, and provide for their family with an honest day's work. Those are difficult things to hear, for sure. I think everyone in this Chamber would feel those emotions and have empathy for the situation. We're hopeful that this can be resolved at the table, and people can get back to work and get going again. That's where these situations can be resolved: at the bargaining table.
We believe in the collective bargaining process. I think we've shown that when we've been involved as the employer in a few situations - tough, difficult negotiations. I believe in the collective bargaining process, and I support that process.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : It's widely recognized, including by all parties at the federal level, that the collective bargaining process is strengthened by banning scab labour. That is the role the Premier could play here.
Two weeks ago, Unifor - representing the 240 striking workers - wrote to the Premier urging him to address the issue of scab labour and calling on the provincial government to recognize that workers in Nova Scotia deserve the ability to collectively bargain fair contracts that help support them and their families, free from the threat posed by the employer's use of scabs, which only drags out strikes and worsens an already difficult situation. Unifor requested a meeting with the Premier to discuss this, but such a meeting still has not taken place.
As the Premier said yesterday in Estimates, there are times when the Premier's presence matters. Will the Premier commit to meeting with the union representing the Autoport workers?
THE PREMIER « » : I know the minister is keeping a close eye on this file and will be committing to supporting the collective bargaining process. I'm hopeful that there can be a resolution at the table. That's where these things are resolved. We hope that's the case in this situation as well.