New Brunswick’s Green Party wants a ban on using replacement workers during strikes or lockouts.
Labour Critic Megan Mitton tabled ‘anti-scab’ legislation in the provincial legislature on Friday.
It comes after MPs in Ottawa passed a similar bill earlier this week targeting federal employers.
“Banning scab workers would be a concrete way of showing support to the province’s workers,” said Mitton.
The Green Party bill would ban the use of replacement workers during a strike or lockout.
It would also create penalties of up to $10,000 in fines for employers who use replacement workers.
Mitton said her party’s bill is modeled after legislation in British Columbia, which has had an anti-scab law for 30 years.
The move by the provincial Greens is being welcomed by the New Brunswick Federation of Labour.
President Daniel Legere urged MLAs to pass the legislation without undue delay.
“It is long overdue. The future of workers and the integrity of our labour system depend on it,” said Legere.
