Human Resources Minister Clint Dunford has confirmed that the provincial government is planning to review the Alberta Labour Code. The review will involve a series of public hearings around the province this spring culminating in amendments to the Code in the spring of 2003.

Dunford says a special MLA committee will be established within the next few weeks to consider which sections of the Code should be examined. The committee will then produce a discussion paper and ask for input from stakeholders and the public. So far, the government hasn’t announced who will sit on the committee or when, exactly, the public consultation process will begin. Watch Labour News for updates and details.

The government has announced plans to amend the WCB Act in the spring session of the Legislature. Most of the changes are to implement reforms to the WCB, including making the Appeals Commission independent, instituting stronger audit rules and requiring an Annual General Meeting of the WCB. The amendments will also legally establish the one-time tribunal to review outstanding claims. Other amendments will update the act and clarify confusing sections.

Attempts by the WCB to insert more controversial amendments, such as giving it the right to privatize the Millard Centre and to limit certain workers’ benefits, were struck down by the Minister after pressure from the labour movement.

The Alberta Labour Relations Board has released a discussion paper outlining a number of proposals for changing the way bargaining units are arranged in the health care sector. The discussion paper, entitled Review of Standard Bargaining Units in Health Care, calls for fewer bargaining units and, in some cases, opens the door for run-off votes between unions.

Unions and other interest parties are asked to submitted written responses to the Board by May 31, with supporting documents and other details to be filed before the end of September.