Quotes
For a government to legislate away the power of labour at the negotiating table is simply reckless. It is blatantly designed to tip the balance in favour of the employer. more...
Steven Barrett, Member of the Board of Directors, Canadian Foundation for Labour Rights,
Canada's reputation as an international champion of human rights falls appallingly short when it comes to the question of workers' rights. While we are among the first nations to sign more...
Ed Broadbent, Former Member of Parliament, Past President, Rights and Democracy,
The right to strike is fundamental because it is the only means by which workers have to persuade their employer to reach a deal. Without that leverage collective bargaining becomes meaningless. more...
Paul Cavalluzzo, Member of the Board of Directors, Canadian Foundation for Labour Rights,
The failure to protect freedom of association and collective bargaining in Canadian workplaces diminishes our standing as a democracy. more...
Elaine Bernard, Executive Director, Harvard University Trade Union Program,
Recognizing that workers have the right to bargain collectively as part of their freedom to associate reaffirms the values of dignity, personal autonomy, equality and democracy. more...
Supreme Court of Canada BC Health Services decision, June 8, 2007,
Labour rights are at the heart of the fight for human rights. The freedom to associate, to organize and to have equal opportunities in the workplace – every year we see these rights under attack more...
Kate Allen, Amnesty International United Kingdom,
Legislating workers back to work instead of letting the process of collective bargaining unfold simply creates bad labour relations and does not resolve issues that can only be solved through more...
Judy Fudge, Faculty of Law, University of Victoria,
It is the role of a democratic government in a civil society to defend all human rights. Human rights cannot flourish where labour rights are not enforced. more...
James Clancy, National President, National Union of Public and General Employees,
Take Action
Draft a resolution
Draft and sponsor a resolution to your Federation of Labour or Labour Council condemning the use of labour laws that restrict or deny the fundamental rights of workers and proposing that progressive labour law reform be a central focus of labour’s political agenda.
Sign the Workers’ Bill of Rights
Since 2006, thousands, including all Federal Leaders of the Opposition, have signed a pledge to uphold workers rights.