NB Legislation Lana Payne, Jennifer Murray and delegation (CNW Group/Unifor)

Canada’s largest union in the private sector plans to fight proposed changes to New Brunswick’s Public Service Labour Relations Act.

Labour Minister Trevor Holder introduced Bill 23 in the provincial legislature last week.

Unifor says it takes particular issue with the idea of allowing the use of scab labour if there’s a strike or lockout.

“The Higgs government has the audacity to report a massive $777 million surplus and then turn around two months later and wage war on its workers – it’s a real blow to the people of this province,” says Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray.

She adds it’s a real blow to the people of the province.

Meantime, the New Brunswick Federation of Labour (NBFL) is expressing a similar message to the Higgs government.

“This bill includes several fundamental changes to labour relations in the province, unfairly skewing labour dynamics in favour of the employer,” says Daniel Legere, NBFL President.

The NBFL is also concerned about the use of scab labour in the event of a strike or lockout.

They say the bill also restricts the criteria that an arbitrator can use in making an award in binding arbitration.

“This Bill will infringe on workers’ fundamental rights. Public sector workers are already stretched too thin, given the recruitment and retention crisis in the province,” adds Legere.

“Rather than fix this problem, the proposed changes to labour relations in the province will have the opposite effect. It will lead to labour unrest and will divide workplaces, families and communities.”