Manitoba now has the strongest 50% +1 card check and anti-scab law in Canada

Finally, after 50 years of fighting, we have won 50% + 1 card check and anti-scab legislation. And thanks to Premier Wab Kinew and his NDP government, we have the strongest card check and anti-scab law in Canada.

Bill 37 has received Royal Assent, meaning 50% + 1 card check and a ban on scab labour are now the law in Manitoba. Our labour movement never lost hope of winning these protections for workers, and now the dreams of generations of union activists have come true. 

Now that this law is in place, it is easier than ever before for workers to join a union. If a majority of employees in a workplace sign a union application card, they’ll get a union.

Manitoba’s anti-scab law includes the broadest definition of scab labour in Canada. 

And it also includes earlier exemptions for unions and employers who don’t supply any essential services, reducing red tape and conflict around ESAs. It also allows for unions and employers to use the Labour Board (or arbitrators by mutual agreement) for dispute resolution around ESAs. The Labour Board has also been given new powers to provide early guidelines to unions and employers about what constitutes an ‘essential service’, based on the bill’s narrow legal definition, which respects the Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling upholding the right to strike.

For much more information about the new rules regarding card check, anti-scab and essential services, please read our FACT SHEET.

You can also download the POSTER announcing this major win for working people and their unions in Manitoba.

Unfortunately, the online version of the Labour Relations Act has not been updated yet to reflect the amendments made to it by Bill 37.

However, you can find a final version of the LRA changes included in Bill 37 by looking at the Schedule D section HERE.

I want to thank all of the unions and labour activists who helped us win this historic rebalancing of Manitoba’s labour laws. These new rights for workers will mean bigger paycheques, greater job security and safer workplaces. 

Let’s Get Organizing.

The Manitoba Labour Board has designed a comprehensive set of Rules, Forms and an Informational Bulletin to help parties in navigating these changes – CLICK HERE for more information.