Saskatchewan passes labour legislation to ban essential workers from striking

The essential services legislation forces unions and employers to agree on which workers should be banned from striking. Unions are upset because the new law says that if the two sides can't agree, employers can decide who should stay on the job.

Labour Minister Rob Norris says the new law will protect the health and safety of Saskatchewan residents, while maintaining the rights of unionized workers.

Opposition NDP Leader Lorne Calvert says the "overarching legislation" tilts the balance in favour of employers.

The legislation could face its first test with Saskatchewan's nurses, who are in the midst of contract negotiations and voted last week in favour of a strike.