MGEU President, Michelle Gawronsky, spent Thursday evening speaking to two legislative committees: one dealing with Bill 18 (The Public Schools Amendment Act) and the other dealing with Bill 31 (The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act).

Bill 18, which will require schools to accommodate students who want to start specific anti-bullying clubs, including gay-straight alliances has made recent headlines and elicited attention from some religious groups.

Last night Gawronsky offered support for Bill 18 and reiterated the point made by others over the past few days: “The creation of gay-straight alliances is a small thing that could have a big impact… it will allow us to continue our journey towards being a truly socially inclusive province. At the very least, it will send a message to bullied kids who are waiting for the adults in their lives to take the lead and set an example.”

Bill 18 public hearings are being held every day this week, starting at 6 p.m., at the Manitoba legislature.

Bill 31 amendments move safety and health in a positive direction

Meanwhile, the Province is holding public consultations for Bill 31, which introduces a number of amendments to clarify the intent and administrative processes of the Workplace Safety and Health Act.

The MGEU supports the proposed amendments to entrench the four fundamental “Rights of Workers” (right to know, right to participate, right to refuse dangerous work, and right to protection from poor working conditions) along with other amendments to the Act, which include a renewed focus on enforcement to encourage employers to remain vigilant in complying with the legislation.

“I believe that Manitoba’s review of the Act moves the province in a positive direction, making our legislation consistent with other provincial jurisdictions, and in some respects, advanced beyond,” said Gawronsky.

While the changes move the province in a positive direction, she also suggests there are areas of legislative reform that the MGEU and its associated labour bodies will continue to pursue.

“The numerous issues raised during the review of the Act that were set aside for inclusion in Regulatory review need to be addressed in the near future: orientation and training provisions, additional improvements to Construction Zone safety, and greater recognition of occupational diseases. In my opinion, we need to take a closer look in these areas.”