Passed this week, Bill 32 the Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act, is the UCP government’s undemocratic, anti-worker law that will enact sweeping regressive changes on Alberta workers and workplaces. It hits union and non-union workers alike with Labour Relations Code and Employment Standards Code changes.
The UCP government has created handy Bill 32 fact sheets that explain the new changes. The trouble is, the fact sheets misrepresent the changes with words like “simpler” or “more flexible” and declare that these changes that take away worker rights will somehow magically create jobs. So here at the AFL, we decided we would go through the fact sheets and fix them for you.
For instance, the UCP lists the objective of the legislation as:
The proposed Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act will support economic recovery, restore balance in the workplace and get Albertans back to work.
So we’ve translated that for you:
The Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act will make it easier for bad employers to take advantage of workers who are desperate for work.
Fixed: New workplace rules fact sheet
This is supposed to be a fact sheet for employees, not only does it misrepresent the changes, it leaves a lot out. See our fixed fact sheet.
Fixed: Red tape reduction – labour relations fact sheet
It is interesting that the UCP is choosing to frame this as red tape reduction on this fact sheet since it significantly increases red tape for workers’ unions and workload for the Labour Relations Board. See our fixed fact sheet.
Fixed: Red tape reduction – employment standards fact sheet
This is geared towards bad employers who will reduce their red tape by saving time since they won’t have to give notices for shift changes and layoffs and money since they won’t have to pay workers overtime pay or pay them in a timely manner when they lay them off. See our fixed fact sheet.
Join us to Defend Worker Rights
Together, we can help all Albertans understand that a healthy economy and a healthy democracy depends on regular working people having rights, both in the workplace and on the political stage!
Sign our Defend Worker Rights petition to join the fight! You’ll receive material from us that you can share with your friends. You’ll also be given information about how you can work with others in your community to either thank your local MLA, if they support worker rights or pressure them to change their tune, if they do not. We’re establishing teams of people who care about worker rights in every constituency around the province – and you can be part of it!