NDP labour critic David Forbes continued a graveyard-shift consultation tour on Friday night with visits to the communities' late-night retail businesses. Similar to his findings in other communities, most businesses already schedule at least two workers per late-night shift, or protect an employee behind a locked door or barrier.
"Jimmy's Law is common sense," said Forbes. "What we're finding is that the law would simply speak up for that rare lone worker who deserves the same protection."
The purpose of the Jimmy's Law consultation tour is to consult with late-night retail workers at the time and place most convenient for them, but also to take stock of security conditions in their workplaces.
In Prince Albert and North Battleford, Forbes was again joined by Aaron Nagy, who was a close friend of Jimmy Wiebe, for whom Jimmy's Law was named. Wiebe was shot and killed in 2011 while working alone at night at a gas station in Yorkton.
"Having two workers on a shift can deter crime," said Forbes. "But in the case of a medical emergency like an asthma attack or heart attack, or even making sure that employees can take meal or other breaks, having two employees on each shift just makes sense."
Forbes and Nagy have also visited Yorkton, Moose Jaw and Saskatoon on the graveyard shift consultation tour. Several other community visits are planned throughout April.
Bill 601, The Jimmy's Law Act, is a private members bill before the Legislative Assembly. It was introduced by Forbes in December.
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