From: "webmaster" <webmaster@campaignbc.ca>

CAMPAIGN BC - URGENT ACTION ALERT - March 14, 2002


Make your voice heard on the Campbell government's proposed changes to the Labour Code.

The B.C. Federation of Labour is asking union members, and supporters - and anyone else who believes in fair and balanced labour laws - to make sure the labour viewpoint is front and centre in the discussion forum on the Labour Ministry website at <http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/lrcreview/lcr-forum.htm>.

Use the information in this e-mail alert and on the Federation website to tell the government how you feel about its latest attack on your rights as a worker.

* WHAT'S AT STAKE

Late Wednesday afternoon, Labour Minister Graham Bruce released a discussion paper on proposed changes to the Labour Code that will:

- undercut existing agreements;
- eliminate effective penalties and deterrence against employer coercion and intimidation during organizing drives;
- reduce your rights on the job and in your union; and
- wipe out your union rights in the event a company goes bankrupt or inactive for a period of two years.

The Federation believes no changes to the Code are warranted unless they strengthen workers' rights.

But if the government is determined to proceed, it must use the independent, non-partisan, consensus-based approach set out under Section 3 of the Labour Code.

This process, supported by both business and labour, is the only effective away to achieve balanced change to labour law.

* WHERE YOU CAN LEARN MORE

To read the top ten reasons the proposals in the Labour Code Discussion Paper should be referred to a Section 3 committee of special advisors, got to:

www.bcfed.com/news/Enews/LRCrev10.htm

To read the federation's reaction to the changes, go to:

www.bcfed.com/news/media/LRCchanges.htm

To read a backgrounder from labour's standpoint on the discussion paper, go to:

www.bcfed.com/news/media/Extra/lrcback.htm

* HOW YOU CAN HELP

Let Labour Minister Graham Bruce and Liberal MLA's know you reject these changes -- and insist on a Section 3 process.

Use the material below to develop your view, or simply copy and paste the arguments you prefer into the discussion group at:

www.labour.gov.bc.ca/lrcreview/lcr-forum.htm

Note that you should keep your submission to 150 words or less.

You can also e-mail your own MLA and let him or her know what you think.
To find your MLA's address you can visit:

www.bcfed.com/campaigns/Libemail.htm


Your rights on the job are at stake!