Toronto — Three construction unions began legal action against Ontario Premier Mike Harris and Labour Minister Chris Stockwell alleging they have “abused their positions in government to intimidate and coerce” construction unions into backing labour law changes. The Ontario Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers Conference, Ontario Pipe Trades Council and the Millright District Council of Ontario brought the two Tory politicians to the Labour Relations Board alleging that Bill 69, expected to pass this fall, violates the province’s labour law. The unions have broken away from the Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario who backed the law fearing even tougher measures would be passed.
Hamilton — The union representing Hamilton-Wentworth elementary teachers is taking their employer to court for forcing them to remove union buttons while on school property. The Hamilton Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, representing 2,300 elementary teachers, launched a Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenge claiming the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board violated teachers’ rights to freedom of expression by prohibiting them from wearing union buttons reading “Fair Deal or No Deal” while on school property. The union is seeking an injunction and is also filing an unfair labour complaint with the labour board. The legal action came on the eve of a strike vote by elementary teachers who have been without a collective agreement since Aug. 31.
Flin Flon, Man. — No criminal charges will be laid after a fatal explosion at a Manitoba smelter that killed one man and injured 13 others in mid-August. The employer may still face charges under the Workplace Safety and Health Act. Investigators have submitted their report of the accident to officials in the Department of Justice who will determine if charges under the provincial statute can be supported. Their decision isn’t expected for about two months.
