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As the clause-by-clause review of Bill 3 – An Act to improve the transparency, governance and democratic process of various associations in the workplace – comes to an end, the APTS, CSD, FAE, SFPQ and SPGQ are indignant that the government is refusing to change course despite repeated warnings from the labour movement.

Although labour unions submitted well-documented briefs, provided concrete proposals and showed up for consultations in good faith, the Minister has chosen to maintain his bill. Worse yet, he did not retain any of the amendments needed to mitigate Bill 3’s harsh impact as a frontal assault on union democracy and countervailing powers.

“They’re working relentlessly to undermine labour unions while doing nothing to address Quebecers’ real social priorities,” said APTS president Robert Comeau, CSD president Luc Vachon, FAE (Fédération autonome de l’enseignement) president Mélanie Hubert, SFPQ president Christian Daigle and SPGQ president Guillaume Bouvrette, speaking with one voice. “Behind the fine words, their intention is clear: they want to make unions’ functioning more complex, stir up division, and create pointless tension in workplaces. This interference reflects a complete lack of understanding of union democracy. Minister Boulet threw away his last chance to create a minimum level of social dialogue after a series of aggressive bills. In doing so, he’s deliberately undermining the countervailing power embodied by the labour movement, and in the end, the price will be paid not only by workers but by our society as a whole.”

The five labour organizations pointed out once again that wherever unions are acknowledged as social partners, they contribute to social justice and collective progress. Limiting their role will only make our democracy more fragile. 

Source:

APTS, CSD, FAE, SFPQ, SPGQ