Manitoba NDP would consider banning replacement workers during strikes
Posted October 15, 2022 4:16 pm.
Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew says he will consider banning replacement workers during strikes and lockouts if he becomes premier.
Kinew made the comment after delegates at this weekend’s provincial NDP convention passed a resolution calling for the ban.
Previous NDP leaders have rejected the call, but Kinew says the argument for change makes a lot of sense and he will consult Manitobans on it if the Opposition NDP win next year’s election.
Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck says it’s not fair that employers can bring in replacement workers to keep operating while workers are locked out or on strike.
The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce says the current system of labour laws works well and strikes the right balance between labour and business.
Either side in a labour dispute can take the matter to arbitration after 60 days, and the chamber says that has worked well to prevent strikes and lockouts from dragging on for a long time.
