Farm Workers Second Class Citizens?

Farm workers in Ontario are currently barred from unionizing in Ontario. They are currently attempting to show the Supreme Court that it violates their rights and should be thrown out as unconstitutional.

These workers in Ontario, many of whom are visible minority immigrants, have never had the right to strike. They did, briefly, gain the right to bargain collectively under the former NDP government of then-premier Bob Rae and the UFCW successfully organized 200 workers at a mushroom factory in Leamington, Ont. However, as soon as Mike Harris was elected in 1995, the conservatives reinstated the union ban and forced them back to court.

I think it is important to note that we are not talking about family farms anymore. Farming has become big business and most farm workers in the province can be found in mushroom production, greenhouses and hatcheries, which even Ontario's labour relations board has found are "factory-like'' and no different from a "typical manufacturing plant.'' These companies are making millions of dollars and are treating their employees like second class citizens. While the government would like you to believe that this could somehow put our food chain at risk the union has stated that it is not seeking the right to strike and does not want to open the door to food disruptions; they say they would accept binding arbitration rather than the right to strike to settle any disputes.

I think it is time for all of our workers to be treated fairly. Google this topic and if you feel the same write a letter to your MPP.

Veggie Farming - From our factory to your kitchen
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