Wall puts sights on Labour

As Premier Wall prepares for the fall sitting of the Legislature on Dec 10th, he is expected to fire the first volley at Organized Labour in Saskatchewan.

Premier Brad Wall says the Saskatchewan Party will introduce a series of pro-business changes to provincial labour laws when the first session of the new legislature convenes on Dec. 10.

"What we've always said is that we're going to bring forward legislative changes to the labour legislative environment that are simply competitive with other provinces, things that other provinces have done and are doing, and I don't think have caused great problems for labour in those places," Wall said this week.

"I'm sure there will be some disagreement. I'm hoping it's thoughtful and constructive."

You can rest assured that organizations such as the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Chamber of Commerce, North Sask Business Association and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business will be watching with baited breath for their long term desire to crush Labour, to come to fruition.

While Federation of Labour President Larry Hubich says "he'll be looking to the government to consult broadly before any changes are made", Marilyn Braun Pollon, the CFIB's Saskatchewan director, states "The sooner that they can implement (the promised changes) the better because it will send a strong signal not only to local business owners but to investors outside of the province."

Hubich has publicly stated that "the labour movement is prepared to be respectful and "engage in compromises." "If that's the approach that the new government wants to take then I think they'll see a favourable response from the labour movement," Hubich said, who has written the premier to request a meeting between labour leaders and cabinet. "If they're not interested in that approach, then they shouldn't be surprised at the kind of response that might ensue."

It be interesting to see how fast and how far Brad Wall will go to appease the business community at the expense of working families.


http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/local/story.html?id=c7bd36a8-d953-41a7-8f7a-c05015d5d56e
http://www.nupge.ca/news_2007/n25no07a.htm