Canadian NAO Submission 2008-1 (North Carolina)

On June 20, 2008, the Canadian National Administration Office (NAO), established under the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC), accepted to review Public Communication CAN 2008-1 on labor law matters in the state of North Carolina, United States of America. Canada will review CAN 2008-1 submission in accordance with procedures established under the Canadian Guidelines for Filing Public Communications. Public Communication CAN 2008-1 was submitted to the Canadian NAO by the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America and the Canadian Association of Labor Lawyers (CALL), along with more than 40 other labor organizations in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Public Communication CAN 2008-1 alleges that the United States has failed to meet its obligations under the Agreement because legislation in North Carolina denies public sector employees the right to engage in collective bargaining. The submission also raises issues related to the following NAALC labor principles: freedom of association and protection of the right to organize; elimination of employment discrimination; minimum employment standards; equal pay for women and men; prevention of occupational injuries and illnesses; and compensation in cases of occupational injuries and illnesses.