Worker Protection: Legislation on Health & Safety

Moderator:
Lynn Kaye, Acting General
Manager, Canadian Union of
Professional & Technical
Employees

Panelists:
Jane Stinson, Research Assistant,
CUPE

Katherine McGuire, National
Representative, Research &
Legislation Branch, CLC

A crucial question to be answered before any legislation on technological change can be written is the scope of employers' rights. A review of the Freedman Report and the Woods Task Force (1960s) recommendations was presented. Discussion centred on the Canada Labour Code and existing provincial codes, a look at what has been accomplished, and a critique of the weaknesses.

What do we need in legislation?

• Clarification of what constitutes technological change, to limit exemptions.

• More advance notice of change.

• A clear statement that no change will be introduced until an agreement has been reached with the bargaining agent.

• The assurance of expanded private and public programs to protect workers (training, full employment, income support, etc.).

  We also need:

• More government research on health issues, so that minimum standards can be established.

• Universal workplace health and safety committees.

• Privacy legislation.

• Pension reform.

• Legislation to offset foreign protectionism and to ensure Canadians a fair share of the jobs created by the new technology.

Action

• Each union, or group of employees should set up a committee to examine such issues as the effect of VDTs on health.

• This committee should set guidelines for the purchase and installation of new equipment, and formulate recommendations for management.

• Seminars, newsletters and the like should be increased to inform employees of their rights and interests.

• Employees could be surveyed on their health, and feelings concerning the changing workplace. In the long term, such accumulated information could point out areas of problems.