Like it or not, it's passed.
The (contentious) Saskatchewan Employment Act (Bill 85) has passed third and final reading in the Legislative Assembly. The Act consolidates 12 pieces of labour legislation into one updated and comprehensive Act that the government says will protect workers, promotes growth and increases accountability.
Not all in the province are so excited about what the law will mean. Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union (SGEU) president Bob Bymoen, for one, has said the new legislation will make it more difficult for workers to form a union, and will erode weekends and standard hours of work. And at least two components of Bill 85 have been the subject of court battles over the past few years, as unions questioned the legality of both essential services legislation and the Trade Union Amendment Act. Others, including the NDP, believed a decision should be delayed to allow more time for consultation.
"Essential services will be added to the new Act in the fall, which will provide our government time to seek input and address concerns about the current legislation," says the province's Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan adding, "The new Act includes house amendments that are the result of our consultative process. As a result, we now have an even better Act that is fair to employees, employers and unions."
For more information on the changes and how they affect Saskatchewan workers and employers, visit www.lrws.gov.sk.ca/modernizing-legislation.
The ball of change has been set to roll, time will tell if it will be of benefit to the majority in the province.
