The Ontario government is currently undergoing a once-in-a-generation review of the province's outdated labour and employment laws. Now is your chance to have your say and let the government know that you want Ontario to “Get it Right.”

UFCW Canada, together with the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) and its affiliates, have conducted several meetings with Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) to ensure that the voices and concerns of UFCW Canada members and their families are heard when it comes to making the province’s labour laws fair for all workers. 

Some of the recommendations that UFCW Canada has presented to the government to help build fairness and strengthen Ontario’s economy include:

Implementing Card Check Certification

• Enacting card check certification would make it easier for workers across the province to gain the union advantage. By signing a union card, a worker is clearly indicating their desire to join a union, and when a majority of workers have signed cards, the union should be certified as their official bargaining agent.

Enacting First Contract Arbitration

• Introducing a first contract arbitration system would enable workers and employers to reach peaceful resolutions when negotiations break down at the bargaining table. When workers have exercised their democratic right to join a union, they should also have the right to a first contract, whether that agreement is reached through collaboration or imposed by an experienced and impartial third party arbitrator.

Introducing Sectoral Bargaining

• Implementing a sectoral bargaining system would create a level playing field that could prevent low-wage competition by introducing minimum wage and work standards in various industries, such as retail. By taking this approach, the province could create an economy where every worker benefits.