Farmers and ranchers are concerned about unionization on farms after Bill 17 was passed this Tuesday.

The Fair and Family-friendly Workplaces Act was passed Tuesday morning of this week, just months after the long consultation process of Bill 6. The new Bill ignores several recommendations that came from the Bill 6 consultation process.
 
Bill 17 includes provisions to Alberta employment standards and labour codes, including giving farm and ranch employees the right to form a union.

If employees are allowed to strike, there could be irreversible damage to crops, as well as animal welfare issues.

Bryan Walton, CEO of Alberta's Cattle Feeder Association, says they will continue to point out farmer inputs were not given the consideration they deserve.

"We will be working with the Government to make sure farmers can do their business as they are accustomed to, all the while maintaining the safety considerations that we need to keep in mind for our families and farm workers."

Changes under Bill 17 will not come into effect until January 2018.

For more information on Bill 17, you can visit this website.