June 5, 2014
Honourable Tom Marshall, Q.C.
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
Confederation Building, East Block
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6 Via Email: premier@gov.nl.ca
Dear Premier Marshall:
I am writing to voice my total dissatisfaction with your government’s decision to amend the Labour Relations Act with Bill 22 and remove union card-based certification.
The current legislation was a result of four years of discussion and negotiation with labour, business and government. Your government called it a ‘balanced approach’ towards a positive labour relations climate. Yet a mere two years later, and without any consultation with labour, you have decided to make significant changes that benefit the wishes of the Employers who have been relentless in their opposition. This is not only unfair, it is unjustified.
The signing of a union card is “vote“ enough to indicate a worker’s intention to be represented in by a union in a workplace. 65% is significant evidence of the intent of the majority of workers. It is an efficient and democratic process.
I urge you to withdraw this legislation immediately.
Respectfully yours,
Jeannie Baldwin
Regional Executive Vice-President, PSAC Atlantic