PROVINCE PASSES BILL TO PREVENT OPG STRIKE OR LOCKOUT
Dec 20, 2018
By Bob Komsic
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As expected, the Ford government has passed legislation that will prevent a strike or lockout at Ontario Power Generation.
It now means the contract dispute between OPG and the Power Workers’ Union will go to arbitration.
(Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)
Energy Minister Greg Rickford and Labour Minister Laurie Scott say in a joint statement, the bill’s passage ”removes the risk of widespread power outages and allows a dispute resolution to happen appropriately.”
They go on to say ”the people of Ontario can be assured this holiday season that they will have the power they need to light up and heat their homes and businesses.”
The Opposition accused the government of fear-mongering for immediately turning to back-to-work legislation instead of less drastic measures first.
While some Liberal MPPs and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner voted in favour of the bill, both parties still disapproved of the way the government handled the situation.
Schreiner feels the Ford Conservatives want it both ways, adding they should make power workers essential if having them walk off the job automatically jeopardizes Ontario’s electricity system.