November 29, 2013
The Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL) is worried that that a new law to protect road workers will not get passed in time for the new safety rules to be in place for the spring construction season.
The concerns stem from the fact that the Manitoba Progressive Conservatives caucus has been blocking the road worker safety bill from being debated in the Manitoba legislature. If the bill does not move to debate by Monday, December 2, it will not be passed before the legislature rises for the Christmas break.
MFL Executive Vice President Wendy Sol wrote a letter to PC Leader Brian Pallister, urging him to allow the bill to get debated in the legislature: “I am writing to request that you and your caucus allow the road worker safety bill to proceed to debate stage in the legislature. If you have concerns with the bill, I encourage you to use the legislative debates to express them. The safety of Manitoba road workers is at stake.”
The road worker safety bill was developed in response to calls from both the MFL and employers for improved speed limit signage in construction zones. The bill would require clear signage of reduced construction speed limits, to ensure that drivers know exactly when reduced limits are in effect, what they are, and when they end.
The MFL has already registered to present on the road worker safety law if it is allowed to proceed to legislative public hearings next week. Read about the proposed law HERE.