The Sudbury and District Labour Council was up in arms following a comment made by Rick Bartolucci, Liberal incumbent in the Sudbury riding, in the media Tuesday that shed an unfavourable light on the NDP party regarding their stance on labour.
Bartolucci targetted the NDP Social Contract, saying it was the largest single violation of workers' rights in Ontario history, as well as pointing out an average of 121 work stoppages per year.
However, representatives of the Labour Council – a strong advocate for the New Democratic Party - argued, "the NDP is labour's friend."
“The reason we support the NDP is they support policies that are important to labour such as anti-scab legislation, which the NDP brought in when they were in government; the $10 minimum wage, which we believe is necessary to help low-income working people improve their quality of life; and the manufacturing job crisis, which hasn't been addressed by the Liberals," said Labour Council president John Closs.
Closs was joined by representatives from unions across town including OPSEU Local 671, CAW Mine and Mill Local 598, CUPE Local 4705, United Steelworkers Local 6500 and the Canadian Labour Congress.
They discussed the negative impact the Ontario Liberal government has had on issues such as health care and job losses. They also addressed promises made but not kept by the Liberals, such as hiring more nurses and tackling the manufacturing job crisis.
"NDP is on the side of labour and labour is on the side of NDP," said Carol Hughes, regional representative for the Canadian Labour Congress. "Instead of assisting communities and workers to give them a hand up, the Liberals have actually given them a hand down. The NDP is the only party addressing working families and community issues.
"Rick Bartolucci is not labour's friend."
