national farmers union

            in union is strength



FEBRUARY 9, 2000

NFU CALLS FOR A REVIEW OF FARM LABOUR REGULATIONS


ROSSENDALE, Mb -NFU Vice President Fred Tait and NFU Saskatchewan Board member Stewart Wells announced today that they are asking the governments of Manitoba and Saskatchewan to review farm labour regulations governing large-scale, intensive livestock operations.

Tait and Wells stated that they will draw to the attention of their respective governments the reality that corporations are increasing their domination in the hog and feed lot industry. Stewart Wells stated: "The NFU does not view Heartland, Maple Leaf, or Smithfield Corporations as farms or farmers and we do not believe that these corporations should be permitted to continue hiring workers under either province's farm labour regulations."

Wells stated, "The recent labour dispute between Heartland livestock and workers at one of its hog barns is an example of how substandard working conditions can be exacerbated by provincial regulations. Clearly, farm labour laws were never intended to apply to multi-million dollar corporations or factory-scale hog production units. The misapplication of these laws has a negative effect on labour relations and can contribute to unhealthy working conditions."

Tait observed that the proponents of mega-barns refer to the generous return on investment that is available to those who have invested in these ventures. "If mega-barns can provide a generous return on investment, then they can be equally generous to the workers who make the investment possible."

Tait plans to meet with Manitoba's Minister of Labour on February 14th.

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