UPDATED February 6,
2009
PEI
Federation of Labour Welcomes Islander Day
“ The PEI Federation of Labour would like to
take this time to thank the Ghiz government for creating a new
statutory holiday on PEI and for taking this small yet very important
step in recognizing how important moving worker’s rights forward on PEI
is to our economic future.” States Carl Pursey, President of the PEI
Federation of Labour
However, we are very disappointed with a recent statement in the media
by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) that seems to
hint that Islander Day would cost Island businesses $12 million, the
average GDP for P.E.I. in a day.
By making this ridiculous assertion the (CFIB) is not only totally
ignoring the benefits vacation time has for workers’ health and
productivity but they also seem to ignore common sense.
“Their premise seems to make the assumption that business not done on
Islander Day is lost forever which is ridiculous.”states Pursey
“If you can’t buy something on Monday it just means it will get bought
on another day? If you need something fixed you can do it on another
day? In fact, I would be very doubtful if Islander Day will
have much of an effect on any Island business’s bottom line for the
week” continues Pursey.
Even with the addition of Islander Day, PEI is still tied with New
Brunswick for the second lowest number of statutory holidays in Canada
at 7. In fact Currently, 10 out of the 14 Employment
Standards Acts in Canada (including federal) include at least 8
statutory holidays (Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan are the
highest at10).
Business organizations like the CFIB and Chambers of Commerce want to
keep Island workplaces with the lowest wages, the lowest employment
standards, and consistently the worst labour legislation in the
country. By doing this they are putting PEI’s chances of
maintaining and retaining the skilled workforce that their members
require now and will require in the future in serious
jeopardy.
Over the years, we have seen far too many Islanders forced to leave PEI
in search of better wages and working conditions elsewhere in this
country. It is the Federation’s greatest hope that Islander Day will be
the first small step that the Ghiz government takes in recognizing how
important it is to show Island workers they are valued and respected
here on PEI.
“In the end, I wish all Islanders a relaxing and pleasant Islander’s
Day and ask the CFIB and the Chambers of Commerce to take the time
afforded them by this day off to start to realize how important their
employees are to the future of the Island economy and the success of
their members.” Concludes President Pursey”
Press
Release Main
ANY
CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS,
OR ERRORS CLICK ON THE MAILBOX.
