Three cheers for the labour movement - NUPGE - President's Commentary
In Canada, since 1982, federal and provincial governments have passed 180 pieces of legislation that govern labour relations. Of these laws, 175 adopted were intended to gut, deny, suspend or infringe upon the rights of workers. Yes, 98% of every labour relations law passed over the past 20 years has been against unions and unionists.
A country's treatment of the labour movement is often a strong indication of the status of its democracy. The old analogy of the canary in the mine is apt here - if the canary falls off its perch then everyone in the mine is in deep trouble - the canary is first to experience the effects of no air - no oxygen - it falls. When the labour movement feels its rights being choked off everyone is in deep trouble.