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Card checks provide fair way to unionize

NANAIMO: Re: Secret ballots must remain, Letters, Sept. 15.

To the Editor,

Re: Secret ballots must remain, Letters, Sept. 15.

Mathew Enns, a former intern for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, recently condemned the call to make it safer for workers to join a union.

I wonder, was he speaking for workers or for the employers who wish to maintain their ability to threaten and intimidate employees who want to join a union?

Many workers, especially young and immigrant workers, are afraid to join a union because they fear they will be fired or demoted for trying.

Card check allows workers to make their decision free from interference and threats from their employer, and prevents leaders of organizing drives from being fired unfairly.

The card check system Enns criticizes was recently adopted by the Conservative government of Newfoundland and Labrador. It has long been recognized as a fair, balanced and democratic way for workers to unionize.

I am responsible for helping to organize young workers who want to join a union. I want them to have rights and fair working conditions in their workplaces.

Can Enns say the same thing?

Jason Mann

Vancouver