By Bertrand Guibord, president of the CCMM-CSN

The government is stepping up its attacks on labour rights. Now it has announced plans to make a portion of union dues optional. Without saying it in so many words, the CAQ is taking its cue from “right to work” laws in the U.S. This will turn back the clock on labour rights and democracy in Québec by decades. Since it would be impossible to effect such a sweeping return to the past in one fell swoop, the Legault government is doing it bit by bit. They have passed several separate but related bills (Act 14, Bill 101), with more to come. The corporations and the right are on the warpath—and the CAQ is happy to do their dirty work.

When Jean Boulet, who spent his entire legal career defending businesses, claims to be acting in the interest of workers, it’s a classic case of the fox guarding the chicken coop. Is there anyone naïve enough to believe that the fox has developed a concern for the welfare of the hens? Clearly, the minister is not acting in the interest of workers. He is working to weaken labour organizations in order to strengthen the hand of employers and privatize public services. No matter how many times he denies it, it is clear that the minister is serving not workers but the corporations that exploit them. In other words, Jean Boulet is lying, as he has done so often in the past. He hopes to divide workers in order to reduce their bargaining power and political influence.

The real reason the CAQ is attacking unions

Unions are made by and for the workers who are their members. They are the best-organized part of civil society—and therefore best able to stand up to the government and defend the interests of their members and the general public when they are under attack. We see this regularly. Unions also support social, community and citizen movements fighting for human rights and social progress. This is what bothers the government and it is the true reason why the CAQ is attacking unions. Let’s not forget this. The CAQ wants to disempower the public by attacking its most organized elements.

Unions have a long and rich democratic tradition. They practice real democracy, where members speak directly at decision-making meetings, not just to influence their elected representatives but to decide their course of action. The same definitely cannot be said of our governments—let alone a paternalistic, authoritarian government like the CAQ. Of course, like all human institutions, unions can be improved. But before claiming to put union affairs in order, the government should clean up its own backyard, which is littered with scandals, anti-democratic decisions and squandered public funds. This government no longer has any legitimacy to govern, let alone to reform the state or labour relations. How can we let them do so?

In the past year alone, this government has lost $1.1 billion of our money through its incompetent management and refusal to listen to anyone else, including the experts. Now it wants to lecture workers about their financial interests and democracy? When the minister says that “greater transparency and accountability are needed,” he should look in the mirror. It isn’t a pretty sight.

Freedom of association is a constitutionally protected right. Workers have the right to form their own organizations and to decide for themselves what they want those organizations to do. It is not up to the government to dictate to workers’ organizations what is good for them. Let us not be fooled. The government wants only to enrich its corporate and profiteering friends, while diverting attention from its scandalously disastrous record.

To resist the assault on our rights, we need to mobilize, stand together and take a stand. As part of the CSN’s Faire front / Stand together campaign, we are being asked to organize actions in our workplaces, public spaces and symbolic sites of power. If our hard-won rights are rolled back, it will take decades to regain them. We must take action today to prevent the CAQ from doing even more damage to Québec and destroying the laws that protect us. Contact us if you want to organize actions; we are here to support you!

Demonstrate in Montréal on November 29 and stand together against the CAQ government!