The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is calling the the Manitoba Government to scrap a policy regarding union positions for Manitoba Hydro employees. CFIB Provincial Affairs Director Elliot Sims says they've heard a number of concerns from employees working on Manitoba Hydro developments, as well as other Crown corporation sites, where they're forced to switch or join unions.

Sims says the main issue with project labour agreements is a lack of consistency in the mandate. He notes these agreements can range from very open, to extremely specific when it comes to employee's unions.

"Some are fairly wide open, that say you can belong to one of 17 different unions. Some of the project labour agreements, such as the one on the Bipole III transmission line that Manitoba Hydro's building, is very prescriptive and only allows members to join one of either two unions."

Sims says these policies stem from a time when union battles were commonplace, noting a period back in the '50s and '60s. However, he says the dictation of what unions a worker can join is very outdated and essentially unnecessary.

"These forms of management agreements that may have existed in the past have no place in today's world. It's kind of shameful that Manitoba, which is the centre of the human rights education centre of Canada, has a Crown corporation and a provincial government that are condoning these types of practices, and are actually fighting for the right to keep them."

Sims calls these policies a violation of Canada's Constitution, citing the right of association. He says by forcing workers to join specific unions, they're taking away that right. Sims says these issues go far beyond just impacting the rights of Manitoba's workers. He says by forcing workers to join unions, it could lead to fewer companies bidding on projects here in the province.

"Not only does that limit competition and limit the opportunity for small businesses, it also has the potential to drive up costs for Manitoba tax payers."

Sims says there are simple ways to improve the situation by having management change their techniques. He notes another measure would be to change the labour relations act, but explains that would take much more time to accomplish.