Supreme Court says it will hear Saskatchewan labour law challenge

OTTAWA – The Supreme Court of Canada says it will hear arguments on whether changes to Saskatchewan’s labour laws are constitutional.

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour asked the high court to weigh in on provincial legislation that restricts who can strike.

The government also brought in changes that the federation says make union certification difficult.

A Regina Court of Queen’s Bench judge ruled in February 2012 that the essential services law was unconstitutional.

The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal disagreed and said in April that the right to walk off the job is not protected by the charter.

The Saskatchewan Party introduced the legislation in December 2007 shortly after winning its first provincial election.

The law states employers and unions must agree on which workers are so needed they can’t walk off the job, but unions were outraged because the law also states that if the two sides can’t agree, employers can dictate who is essential.

The legislation passed in May 2008 and the court challenges began.