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Union members serenade Saskatchewan labour minister with scorn

Article online since October 22nd 2008, 23:00
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REGINA - Saskatchewan's labour minister was serenaded with scorn by union members who are unhappy with some of the right-wing government's policies.

More than 200 members of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour stood on their feet and sang "Solidarity Forever" Thursday as Rob Norris spoke at the organization's annual convention in Regina.

Much of the tension surrounds the Saskatchewan Party government's recent labour legislation, which unions say makes it tougher for them to organize.

Among other things, the legislation forces employers and unions to establish agreements on which workers should be banned from striking.

The government has said the law ensures a greater level of public safety and security.

The federation has launched a constitutional challenge of the legislation.

Federation president Larry Hubich said the demonstration, which drowned out part of Norris's speech, wasn't planned but sends a clear message to the government about its attitude toward unions.

"I think that this government detests us and everything that we stand for," Hubich said.

Norris said he wasn't phased by the hostile reaction. He said many people across the province support the new labour legislation.

"Obviously from what we saw today, there are some heightened emotions for some of these folks," Norris said. "But the feedback that we're getting is very, very positive."

The federation represents 95,000 people in 37 unions across the province.

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