Open letter to the Minister of Education and Labour via Danny Cavanagh (Nova Scotia Federation of Labour)
Dear Ministers
Nova Scotia must pass anti-scab legislation to protect workers’ rights and prevent employers from hiring replacement workers. The use of scabs has been a growing issue in the province, with the most recent example being the Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) hiring outside replacement workers instead of offering CUPE 5047 school support workers a fair deal.
This is an unacceptable practice, a choice by the government through the Minister and must be stopped. The Minister has control and can make the right choice. The right to strike has been protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for a long time, and shame on the government for disrespecting that right. Essentially you agree with it if you’re not stopping it.
It’s time for politicians claiming to be on the workers’ side to stand up. It’s no longer to talk the talk; we need politicians to walk the walk and do something like tell the HRCE to stop the process of using replacement workers. Replacement workers (scabs) undermine that right and pit workers against each other. Using scabs or replacement workers throws a power imbalance between workers and employers. Experience has shown that using scabs increases the intensity and length of labour disputes. It can and often has destructive impacts on economic potential, workplace morale, community cohesion and individual lives. Using scabs also hurts communities as it creates an environment of instability and uncertainty. When employers hire scabs instead of negotiating with their existing workforce, it sends a message that they do not value their employees or respect their rights as workers. This can lead to tension between management and employees and between different groups within the community.
It is a tactic employers use to break strikes and weaken unions, and it can have severe consequences for workers. Scabs are often paid lower wages than regular employees, and union contracts or labour laws do not protect them. This leaves them vulnerable to exploitation and unfair treatment. Furthermore, scabbing undermines collective bargaining rights and weakens the power of unions, which are essential for ensuring fair wages and working conditions for all employees. We need anti-scab solid legislation in Nova Scotia to protect workers and employers from this unfair practice. Such legislation would ensure employers cannot hire replacement workers during labour disputes, which would help restore the balance between management and employees during negotiations. It would also provide greater security for workers by protecting their rights under union contracts and labour laws and strengthening collective bargaining rights across the province.
The Federal government understands the necessity of AntiScab legislation. It is moving towards introducing anti-scab legislation with Bill C-302, formally known as An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (replacement workers).
Why doesn’t the NS government see this and implement legislation to protect Nova Scotian workers from unscrupulous employers who may try to exploit them by hiring scabs instead of negotiating fairly with their existing workforce? We need provincial legislation to ensure no worker in Nova Scotia is ever subjected to such unfair practices again. We must take action to pass anti-scab legislation in Nova Scotia before any more damage is done to our communities or economy due to this exploitative practice. We must ensure that all employers treat their employees fairly and respect their rights as workers so everyone can benefit from secure jobs with good wages and working conditions.
Danny Cavanagh
President
Nova Scotia Federation of Labour
