Feds pass Bill to ban replacement workers

Federal companies won’t be able to use replacement workers during a strike.

MPs unanimously passed Bill C-58 in the House of Commons, which will block the workers from being activated.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh says it’s been a decades long fight.

“With the work of New Democrats, who have been championing this for 15 years, we once and for all ban replacement workers at the federal level,” Singh told reporters.

Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan introduced the legislation last year.

It was part of the supply and confidence deal between the Liberals and New Democrats.

Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske says it’s an historic vote.

“No worker in Canada should ever have to worry about their job being replaced by a replacement worker. That is not fair, and it’s not right. Workers give their lives and years to their employers, they deserve a fair deal at the bargaining table,” said Bruske.

Over a million people work for federal employers in Canada.

Unifor wants Senate to pass Bill

The president of Unifor says they’ve fought for generations for legislation on replacement workers.

Lana Payne says there is still one final step to go.

She urges the Senate to approve the Bill, so it can become law as soon as possible.

Payne says it will modernize Canada’s labour relations system, where increased corporate power and wealth requires an effective counter-balance.

Unifor says the Bill will reduce labour disputes and restore balance in collective bargaining.