The Ontario Federation of Labour is pushing for enhanced worker protections as wildfire smoke increasingly impacts air quality in Ontario. This initiative is part of a broader strategy addressing heat stress and the effects of climate change on working conditions. Current regulations protect workers from extreme cold but lack corresponding measures for heat and poor air quality. Collaboration with the provincial New Democrats aims to introduce a motion in November for better protections. Experts emphasize that unions should assert workplace rights, allowing workers to refuse unsafe conditions related to extreme weather.
"The Ontario Federation of Labour is advocating for more robust worker protections due to growing health concerns over poor air quality caused by increasing wildfire smoke. This initiative focuses on establishing comprehensive regulations for extreme heat and air quality, akin to those already in place for cold weather. "},{
"Laura Walton, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour, states that while there are regulations for workers in cold temperatures, similar protections against heat and poor air quality are absent. The federation is collaborating with provincial New Democrats to propose a motion to the legislature advocating for improved worker safety amid rising instances of extreme weather events."
"Michael Lynk emphasizes that unions must become more aggressive in asserting workers' rights concerning extreme weather conditions. Workers possess the right to refuse unsafe work in extreme heat or smoke, and this right serves as a crucial mechanism for prompting employers to evaluate and enhance working conditions in the face of climate change."
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