Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky at Labour Day rally 2017 September 4, 2017. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky at Labour Day rally 2017 September 4, 2017. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)
Windsor

Gretzky: Auto Workers Singled Out On Emergency Days

A local MPP is calling for a change in how much personal time Ontario's autoworkers should have coming to them.

At Queens Park in Toronto Thursday, Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky stood up to question the majority Liberal government on what she called a "secretive, backdoor decision" to exempt auto workers from changes in the Employment Standards Act regarding emergency leave days.

Under Bill 148, which took effect on January 1, auto workers are exempt from the provision which allows a minimum of ten emergency days per year for most employees, two with pay.

Gretzky says she has heard about it from her constituents and they are calling on the government for change.

"I now have almost 1,500 signatures on a petition from workers and their families opposed to this cutback," said Gretzky from the legislative floor. "That's in addition to the thousands of signatures collected by Unifor."

The issue came up last week in Windsor during a town hall meeting with Premier Kathleen Wynne, when an audience member questioned her about the exemption. Gretzky attended that event.

"When challenged at a town hall in Windsor last week, the Premier said this was about fair workplaces, and told workers not to worry because the vast majority of autoworkers are unionised, but she knows that that is not always the case," said Gretzky.

Gretzky is calling for an immediate repeal of that provision.

In response, Ontario Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn pointed out that after consultation with labour and business, they already have a pilot project in place for autoworkers that includes the seven emergency days and unlimited bereavement leave on an as-needed basis. Flynn insists all Ontario workers, regardless of company size, have emergency leave days for the first time in provincial history.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne speaks as Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky (right) looks on during a town hall meeting in Windsor, February 15, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

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