The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act (Bill 148) (Motion #37-17)

Moved by Signoretti – Thain:

WHEREAS the Sudbury & District Board of Health has a mandate to decrease health inequities such that everyone has equal opportunities for health and can attain their full health potential without disadvantage due to social position or other socially determined circumstances; and

WHEREAS the Board of Health discharges this mandate through a long history of strategies including advocacy, strategic direction, policy development and program interventions; and

WHEREAS the Sudbury & District Board of Health participated in the 2015 Changing Workplaces Review public consultations and recommended that the provincial government strengthen minimum employment standards and reduce barriers to collective bargaining for all workers, especially those in precarious employment, to ultimately improve health outcomes;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Sudbury & District Board of Health commend the provincial government’s actions to address the root causes of precarious work through the Changing Workplaces Review of 2015-16 and subsequent introduction of Bill 148; and

FURTHER THAT the Board of Health support the proposed changes to the Employment Standards Act that expand the pay equity provisions and increase the minimum wage for workers and the proposed changes to the Labour Relations Act that better support precarious workers’ rights; and

FURTHER THAT the Board of Health urge the provincial government to adopt the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of a healthy workplace; and

THAT the Sudbury & District Board of Health share this motion and supporting materials with SDHU community agencies, municipalities and elected representatives, and the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa), Ontario Boards of Health and others as appropriate.

CARRIED

This item was last modified on July 27, 2017