(TORONTO, ON) – By passing Bill 66, the government is showing its disdain for the workers of Ontario, says the Ontario Federation of Labour.
“Bill 66 is going to cost Ontario workers by reducing the overtime hours they’re paid for, at the same time as it compromises health and safety,” said Ontario Federation of Labour President Chris Buckley. “Longer hours for less pay with fewer safety protections. That’s no good for workers and it’s no good for Ontario.”
“From increasing the number of children allowed in home-based daycare facilities, to reducing labeling requirements and reporting on toxic substances used in the workplace by employers, this government is playing with the lives of Ontarians,” said Buckley.
Under the PC law passed yesterday, businesses in Ontario can now use overtime averaging to pay workers for fewer of their overtime hours. The law also allows reduced reporting of toxic substances in workplaces and communities, and deems public entities as ‘non-construction employers’, opening the door for non-union companies in the construction trades to bid on and build public infrastructure projects. It also stops requiring the employer to post the Employment Standards Act in the workplace.
PC government cuts and privatizations have weakened and removed workplace and environmental protections, cancelled important programs, instituted a hiring freeze in the public service, cut funding to key public services like education and social service supports, and moved toward merging, closing, and privatizing health care delivery services.
“The people of this province are not sitting idly by while the government violates collective agreements with changes in the construction trades, while continuing its assault on decent work laws and health and safety in our workplaces and communities,” said Buckley. “We are organized and we will fight for laws that protect worker safety and better protections for all workers, whether they are in a union or not.”
The Ontario Federation of Labour represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. For information, visit www.ofl-org.flywheelsites.com and follow @OFLabour on Facebook and Twitter.
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To arrange interviews or for more information, please contact:
Meagan Perry,
Director of Communications
Ontario Federation of Labour
mperry@ofl-org.flywheelsites.com l 416-894-3456
