The government of New Brunswick has passed a law forcing thousands of unionized public sector workers into so-called “shared risk” pensions. 

One labour leader says the Higgs government’s legislation is a concern for unions across the country, since it overrides signed collective agreements.

“What’s to stop them from using it for anything they might want to?” asked Daniel Légère, president of the NB Federation of Labour.

The law effectively quashes defined benefit pension provisions in several collective agreements.  

Bill 17 received royal assent on Dec. 13, after the provincial government voted to limit debate. The bill passed third reading just before MLAs left the capital for the Christmas break.

The new law affects workers with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, including school custodians, bus drivers, educational assistants, and nursing home workers, among others.

CUPE has said it’s considering all legal options in response to the legislation.   

In an interview ahead of the vote, Légère said the Canadian labour movement has been watching the case closely.

That includes private sector unions, which are concerned because nursing home workers are covered by the Industrial Act and considered private-sector entities, he said.

He described the legislation as practically unprecedented in New Brunswick.

“We haven’t really seen anything like this since 1991, when Premier Frank McKenna broke signed collective agreements with the workers in the province.”

McKenna’s legislation to freeze wages led to massive protests from organized labour.

Légère also commented on recent coroner’s inquests looking into the workplace deaths of two workers — William Russell and Daniel Moore — and outlined the NB Federation of Labour’s plans for a new youth retreat.

This video report also features uncut footage from a CUPE media conference ahead of the controversial bill’s passage.