Farmworker unions in Ontario are a hot potato for governments. We hate to hear about heat deaths or "accidents" on farms but we also love the idea of the "family farmer". This has left farmworkers (mostly migrants) vulnerable to exploitation and poor work conditions. Labour inspections, fines and a meaningful ability to organize would help to alleviate this deplorable state.

In 1994, the NDP government passed a law permitting unions on farms although not permitting strikes or lockouts (Agricultural Labour Relations Act, 1994). This law was repealed by the Mike Harris Conservative government in 1995. Despite successful farm worker appeals all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada (Dunmore) and more recently to the Ontario Court of Appeal (Fraser v Ontario pdf file), workers are still unable to form meaningful unions to allow them to negotiate better work conditions. What are the Ontario government and Dalton McGuinty waiting for? Here is a video that says this in a "whistly" tune...

More info? The United Food and Commercial Worker's (UFCW) site is a great resource. Also learn more about the Agriculture Workers Alliance.

Contact Premier Dalton McGuinty to call for action on farmworker rights (Contact)

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