Among the the harshest critics of Ontario's new Open for Business Act are small business employees working in construction. The legislation was first enacted in May and was meant to make it easier for the government and businesses to communicate. Yet many feel that parts of the bill are not fair to the working men and women in the province.
According to the CBC, the main gripe is the provision in the bill that forces a worker to confront his or her boss about any complaint before reporting it to the government. Many feel that valid complaints will go unreported unless the provision is removed.
"The government is saying that they will provide for automatic exemptions where they don't have to approach their employer. However, we think that a lot of people will - as soon as they see that having to approach their employer as a part of the process - they'll shy away from it." said Diego Mendez of the Service Employees International Union in an interview with the news provider.
The SEIU made headlines in Canada recently after unionized counselors at the Massey Centre for Women picketed for wage increases. After some debate, the union reached a deal with management and the employees were back to work not long after the strike began.
