Canada's hidden human rights deficit: Freedom of Association

Extensive new study documents serious erosion of human rights. Unions launch campaign to fight Wal-Mart and reform Canada's labour laws.

The basic human right to freedom of association has been abused and eroded by Canadian governments at all levels over the past two decades, says an extensive new study by two of Canada's largest unions.

Abuses are also rampant in the agriculture industry and among private sector employers like Wal-Mart. Freedom of association includes the right to join a union, bargain collectively and withhold services by going on strike.

The study, by the 340,000-member National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and the 230,000-member United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW Canada), cites 170 pieces of legislation that have denied or undermined these basic rights since 1982.

The study is entitled:
Collective Bargaining in Canada: Human Right or Canadian Illusion.