Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger spoke to delegates at the 2012 MFL Convention this morning. He committed to continue the positive working relationship between the NDP and labour. He reiterated Minister Howard’s commitment to conduct an independent review of the WCB rate setting model to deal with claims suppression.

He stressed the importance of workplace safety and health, expanding the Canada Pension Plan, respecting free collective bargaining, opposing federal Old Age Security cuts, and rejecting the privatization agenda.

The MFL also took the opportunity to let the Premier know that Manitoba needs fair labour laws that ban the use of replacement workers and ensure the democratic right to form a union when a majority of workers have signed union cards. MFL President Kevin Rebeck gave the Premier credit for moving on a key labour priority, an independent review of WCB claims suppression.