Tories Urge Interference in Labour Board Matter
Minister of Labour knows Labour Board shouldn't be dictated to by politicians.
On April 17, David Faurschou, the Conservative MLA from Portage la Prairie stood up in the Legislature to demand that Nancy Allan, the Minister of Labour, interfere in the decision making process of the Manitoba Labour Board. His 'demands' related to hearings the Manitoba Labour Board concluded in January concerning efforts of the United Food and Commercial Workers union to bring the benefits of union representation to Mexican migrant workers at Mayfair Farms, a fruit and vegetable farm near Portage la Prairie.
Faurschou asked the minister tell the Manitoba Labour Board to hurry up with its decision. He also questioned some of the Board's rulings in the case. He said the situation is now urgent because the temporary, migrant workers will soon be returning to Manitoba.
In response to Faurschou's 'demands', the Honourable Nancy Allan, Minister of Labour and Immigration, rose in the Legislature to say "Well, it's really unfortunate that the Member for Portage la Prairie would raise this issue in the House. It is incredibly unfortunate.
"We have every confidence, every confidence that the Manitoba Labour Board will deal with this matter. It would be completely inappropriate for me as minister to get involved in this. I know full well my responsibility as the Minister of Labour. We will wait for the Manitoba Labour Board to make its decision.
"We want to provide an environment here in Manitoba when newcomers that are working in the agricultural industry are protected by our labour laws and by our Employment Standards Code laws. That's one reason, Mr. Speaker, why we just updated our Employment Standards Code, and we are reviewing agricultural workers and communicating with ag workers and stakeholders as we move forward."
Premier Gary Doer joined the debate by pointing out "The Labour Board is a quasi-judicial body. The chair of the Labour Board, appointed by the Minister of Labour, received unanimous consent from labour and business - unanimous consent.
"Mr. Hamilton was approved by both parties. I think members opposite should not adjudicate quasi-judicial decisions on the floor of the Legislature. The Minister of Labour has picked the person that's independent. This Legislature should be independent."
"I am absolutely floored by the inappropriate suggestions by the Conservative Member of the Opposition from Portage la Prairie," said Manitoba Federation of Labour President Darlene Dziewit. "I know that if any other Minister were to actually interfere in any other quasi-judicial body of the Government, Tory Hugh McFadden and his merry bunch would be out for blood, and rightfully so.
"Unfortunately, it seems that the Conservatives feel that the normal, ethical, 'hands off' rules that apply to other government bodies, ought not to apply where decisions of the Manitoba Labour Board are concerned. This kind of blatant bias gives me a great deal of concern about what could happen if McFadden's reactionary, right wingers were ever to form government. Under the last Tory regime in Manitoba, the Filmon government passed some of the most regressive labour legislation that has ever been seen in Canada.
"Some of McFadden's recent actions make me fear that he could be even be even worse than Filmon if he ever gained power. He's even tried tried using that old, worn out 'red-baiting' when he accused previous NDP members of the legislature of being communists. Then he denied his intention to sell Hydro (just like Filmon did on MTS), even though he's previously bragged that he helped to privatize MTS. Now he allows his caucus member to harangue the Minister of Labour for NOT interfering in a quasi-judicial government body's decision making."
If the board certifies UFCW's application, it would be the first unionized group of foreign farm workers in Canada. About 18,000 foreign agricultural workers come to Canada every year under the federal Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. About 1,000 work in Manitoba.