Section 61 of the Bill 15, the Anti-Corruption Act (June 2011) which amended Section 85 of the Act respecting labour relations, vocational training and manpower management in the construction industry
This specific amendment forces employees of the Québec Construction Commission (CCQ) to disaffiliate from their current union, Local 573 of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE), and makes it illegal for them to affiliate with a union or union central whose members are construction workers (including the FTQ, CSN, CSD and CTC).
Submitted by the Canadian Office & Professional Employees Union (COPE) on its behalf and on behalf of the Syndicat des employées et employés professionnels-les et de bureau – Québec (SEPB-Québec) and the Syndicat des employées et employés professionnels-les et de bureau, section locale 573 (SEPB) CTC-FTQ and supported by the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ).
The ILO Committee on Freedom of Association found the legislation violates the ILO's general freedom of association principle that "a workers’ organization must have the right to affiliate to the federation or confederation of its choice, subject to the constitution of the organization concerned, without prior authorization."