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paradigm-shifts.org
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November 2, 2000
The Ontario Federation of Labour is fighting the Harris government
because they are trying to pass outrageous changes to the current Employment
Standards Act.
If these changes pass, Ontario workers will be facing a 60 hour work
week, having to take their holidays one day at a time and overtime pay
very difficult to acquire. The government is also planning to do away
with the Rand formula, under direction of the Red Tape Commission thus
hoping to disable unions from standing up to employers on the workers'
behalf.
These changes will have a great impact on Ontario workers' lives. How
is one supposed to raise a family adequately when they are at work sixty
hours a week? How can one stand up for their rights without a union?
Parents will have less time for their children; they will be tired and
unable to help their kids with homework, or volunteer for extra-curricular
activities. There will be no more vacations to places more than two
hours away because there will not enough time.
People are constantly making judgements on "problem kids." They say
it's the parents' fault because they don't spend enough time with their
children and they don't forge the bonds with their children that are
"oh so important". The Tory government wants to improve the education
system, and they put stress on the marks of children in Ontario. With
this new legislation there will be even less time for parents to spend
time with their children. How will that affect marks at school if kids
go home with questions and Mom and Dad aren't there to help them?
Right now most Ontario workers can't say no to their employers; if
this new legislation is passed, Ontario workers will have no say whatsoever.
This legislation is very good, if you are an employer. However, if
you are so unlucky as to be an employee, it appears that the government
has turned its back on you. This new legislation doesn't benefit the
majority of Ontario workers, as most workers are employees, not employers.
Right now the Ontario Federation of Labour President, Wayne Samuelson
and Hamilton and District Labour council will hold a news conference
on November second ( to announce plans) to fight changes to the law.
Also, the Ontario Federation of Labour and its member unions are creating
opportunities for Ontarians to fight back by protesting, "We didn't
vote for that". In addition they urge people to contact Mike Harris
and local M.P.P.'s to express their views.
I personally believe that this (legislation) is an extreme and rash
decision and it will hurt more Ontarians than it will help.
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