Member’s Statement: International Workers’ Day
Mr. Speaker,
Today is International Workers’ Day, a commemoration of the 1886 Haymarket Massacre in Chicago when police fired on workers during a general strike for the eight hour workday. Today the people of New Brunswick benefit from the sacrifice of these early labour protestors, but not all benefit equally. Non-unionized staff, particularly in the service sector, have no protection against lay-off and are often forced to accept too many or too few shifts simply to maintain employment. They can be subject to bizarre work conditions, and their years of experience devalued by new or unpredictable measures of success. In Fredericton, one company has begun forcing non-unionized staff to sell credit cards, using this as the measure to determine shift distribution. The role of unions in protecting citizens is irrefutable. This government must act to create a provincial environment that fosters, supports, and respects labour unions.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement – Autism, MLA David Coon, député, Fredericton-sud, chef du Parti vert, Le jeudi 30 avril 2015