Québec was finally headed for sensible legislation that would have obliged every workplace, without exception, to adopt prevention mechanisms. But the bill on labour relations (Bill 101) is now turning everything upside down, creating a two-track system that minimizes the prevention obligations of institutions providing health care, social services, and education. Here’s what you need to know.
OVERVIEW
Less prevention and less participation
The labour relations bill significantly weakens health and social service employees’ prevention tools and their ability to participate in measures to protect their health and safety at work.
- Institutions will no longer be required to collaborate with employee representatives in developing and implementing their prevention program. These representatives, for instance, will no longer have anything to say about protective equipment choices or occupational health and safety training sessions.
- Occupational health and safety officers will have limited responsibilities and less time to carry them out. For instance, they won’t be able to participate in accident investigations.
- The same holds true for health and safety committees. In addition, these committees will have fewer employee representatives.
These measures will have serious consequences. Among other things, they will make it impossible to keep a register of work accidents, and will slow down inspections and identification of risks.
A reform based on discrimination
This bill harms women, since it is aimed at workplaces where they constitute a majority – even though the high level of risk in these settings is now an acknowledged fact. If the bill is adopted in its present form, female workers will be deprived of protective measures that employees in male-dominated workplaces will continue to enjoy.
Say no to the labour relations bill!
The government is refusing to play by the same rules it sets out for every other employer – all while claiming to be an employer of choice. This is unacceptable! Make your opinion known by going to this form and choosing “Strongly disagree” in response to Question 1 :
What is your opinion on the objectives of the bill?The APTS denounces Bill 101 on labour relations
Our position
The APTS criticized a number of provisions of Bill 101 on labour relations in a parliamentary committee on June 15. To learn more, read our brief.
