Ontario Chamber of Commerce Deeply Concerned Over Major Changes to Labour Legislation: "Additional proposals could add to the cumulative burden, impacting jobs and the economy"

TORONTO, Sept. 17, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has called on the province to avoid proposals that would substantially affect Ontario's competitiveness, jobs, and the economy. Timed to coincide with the final consultations of the Ontario government's Changing Workplaces Review, the OCC and over 30 chambers of commerce and boards of trade have publicly released their submission, which expresses concern over previous deputations under consideration by the Review. Many of those recommendations would result in significant changes to the Employments Standards Act and the Labour Relations Act, increasing the cost of doing business in Ontario.

"Ontario's employers face mounting costs as the result of a new mandatory pension plan, rising electricity rates, and some of the highest workplace safety insurance premiums in the country," said Allan O'Dette, President & CEO of the OCC. "Before making any changes to provincial labour laws, government must consider the impact these changes would have on Ontario's competitiveness. These additional proposals could add to the cumulative burden, impacting jobs and the economy."

The consultations have considered how the Labour Relations Act, 1995 and Employment Standards Act, 2000 should be amended to reflect changes to the nature of work that have occurred over the past 20 years.

In its submission, the OCC provides the Province with 14 recommendations, including:

• Sector exemptions currently included in the Employment Standards Act (ESA) should be maintained -- Some groups have been calling for all exemptions to be abolished. The OCC is urging caution, noting that exemptions often reflect the unique nature of certain sectors. For example, the agricultural sector is highly dependent on external factors including weather and the perishable nature of agricultural products.

• Do not legislate how businesses should schedule -- Some groups are calling for provisions in the ESA that would require employers to post work schedules two weeks in advance. This is not feasible for all sectors. Many businesses in the manufacturing sector, for example, must constantly adjust production in order to meet demand. The health sector is also subject to surges in demand which must be met with an equivalent increase in staffing. Many employers in the health sector noted it is impossible to predict how demand for health services will increase day-to-day, let alone two weeks in advance.

• Maintain a transparent process for union certification rules -- The Review is considering a proposal to allow Ontario workers to unionize by simply signing a union card, and removing the requirement for a secret vote. Currently, the process to unionize involves an application demonstrating at least 40 percent support among workers followed by a supervised secret ballot vote. The OCC notes that, despite assertions to the contrary, Ontario's unionization rate has remained largely static since the secret ballot was first introduced a few decades ago.

"The secret vote is an essential component of a democratic and transparent union certification process," said O'Dette. "It provides workers with the opportunity to make decisions free of interference and external pressures."

The OCC's submission to the Changing Workplaces Review is the product of extensive consultation with its membership.

Read the OCC's submission to the Changing Workplaces Review.

Learn more about the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

SOURCE Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Media Contact: Rachel Strong, Senior Communications Advisor, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, e. [email protected], t. 416.482.5222 ext. 2470