Nova Scotian workers need more protection amid U.S. trade war, says labour organization

Canadian workers shouldn't be used as "bargaining chip" says Marc-Édouard Joubert, executive vice-president of the Canadian Labour Congress Workers from across Nova Scotia gathered on Labour Day to rally for workers' rights, advocate for better supports and push for updated labour laws. Subscribe now to access this story and more: Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience. Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience. The group of over a hundred people waved union flags and cheered as they walked from the Labour Board building on Lower Water Street in Halifax up to the Peace and Friendship Park. Marc-Édouard Joubert, executive vice-president of the Canadian Labour Congress, joined the rally on Monday to celebrate workers' rights and advocate for workers' protections throughout the trade dispute with the U.S. 'We're here on Labour Day because we want to remind people that the rights that we have as workers were never given to us,' Joubert told The Chronicle Herald. 'We had to organize; we had to make demands. We had to hold our ground.' Trade tensions with the U.S. have reached a new high, with Canada's counter-tariffs set to be implemented on Tuesday. Nova Scotian workers in affected industries are already facing challenges, and last week, layoffs were implemented in certain forestry sectors. Due to the uncertainty of the trade dispute, Joubert said the Canadian Labour Congress is advocating for expanded worker protections. 'We didn't start that trade war,' Joubert said. 'So, one of the messages we have for our government is that workers shouldn't be used as bargaining chips.' Joubert said the government has implemented good temporary measures to aid businesses, including the $14.1 million investment in businesses across the province and temporary measures added to the Employment Insurance program. But Joubert said that as more workers are impacted by trade disputes, the EI program 'doesn't cut it.' He said it needs to continue to be improved to reach more people in the country ,and support those who are struggling to make ends meet. 'People do not wish to be unemployed. Nobody wants that for them or their family,' said Joubert. 'But while we go through those difficult times, we need to put in place programs that are going to help families, workers, and communities.' Tammy Gillis, the secretary-treasurer of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, said she marched to celebrate workers' wins from this year, including multiple union strikes and successful negotiations, but also to advocate for better labour laws. Gillis said that Nova Scotia has some of the worst labour standards in the country and the laws need to be modernized to fit the current working landscape. 'We have some of the worst labour standards in all of Canada,' said Gillis. 'We have the lowest number of paid holidays. In Nova Scotia, you have to work 48 hours before you qualify for overtime. These things need to be modernized. Other provinces have caught up, but Nova Scotia is lagging behind.' On a national level, the federal Labour Code is currently being reviewed, and Joubert said that the government has been using an article in the current labour code, article 107, 'to interfere in negotiation and to end legal strikes,' which he said should be repealed. 'We understand that when we go on strike it has economic consequences. No union and no worker wants to go on strike,' said Joubert. 'You have to respect workers.' Dozens of marchers chanted as they walked down Hollis Street. Among them were supporters and representatives from different unions representing health-care workers, postal workers, teachers and more. Cameron Ells was at the rally to support steel workers in the province who are affected by the tariffs. He was advocating for everyone to support Canadian-made products. 'Individuals can make that choice every day,' said Ells. 'With the federal government, they have the opportunity with procurement contracts to make the call for Canadian steel to be used.' Library workers and student support workers spoke out about the provincial government's budget cuts from earlier this year that are making it harder to provide support to Nova Scotians. 'As far as public education goes, even outside of school, they've closed half the provincial museums. They've just gutted public education; we're cutting funding to public libraries, which not only are educational for the public but they're often the first line for so many of our citizens to essential government services,' said Andrew Aulenback, library specialist. 'There's cuts continually and it's so sad because these are our most vulnerable, yet the money is being stripped back where it's needed the most,' said Shelley McNeil, president of CUPE Local 5047, which represents student support workers. 'Our students deserve better and our workers deserve better.' McNeil also said that the number of violent incidents in Halifax schools is high, and it needs to change through added funds for additional staff. 'The violence is through the roof,' said McNeil. 'We need staff there to help with these students. Hire the staff and there's less chance that these incidents may happen.' Health-care worker Laura MacMillan echoed the need for more violence reduction in health-care spaces. 'For us, violence is a huge issue,' said MacMillan. 'We definitely would like to see better protections and more protections for workers.' She said that could include more staff to equalize the ratio of staff members to patients, but also increased support for mental health care to treat people before they reach the hospital. The brand's fourth Canadian location is now open Plus three other new limited-time menu items Located in the beauty department at Holt Renfrew, the retail space features a full selection of brand's makeup and fragrance finds. Your machine needs a clean After testing everything, here's what I'd actually recommend