Government legislation undermines the right to strike

Labour welcomes progress on some issues, seeks amendment to the bill

OTTAWA – Bea Bruske, the President of the Canadian Labour Congress, has issued the following statement:

“We’ve had a first look at the changes to the Canada Labour Code.

There are things in this bill that unions have fought for and that will improve protections for workers, including progress on successor rights in contract flipping, protecting workers from wage theft, funding for Canada Industrial Relations Board and health and safety inspectors. We welcome these measures.

But on the right to strike the government broke its promise to workers.

This bill gives government the new and expanded power to end a legal strike when it decides the strike is, or could be, against the national interest.

We reject the idea that workers’ bargaining power is somehow contrary to the national interest.

The national interest is good jobs. It is jobs that are safe, secure and well paid. It is strong industries, investment in Canada and workers getting a fair share

Collective bargaining is what delivers those things.

Employers already have enormous power over jobs, investment and the workplace. Workers balance that power by standing together and, when necessary, withdrawing their labour.

A strike has economic impact because that is how collective bargaining works. If government can end a strike because it is having an economic impact, employers have less reason to compromise and reach a deal.

That weakens collective bargaining before government ever uses the power.

We are still reviewing the legislation closely and there is more in this bill that we will have to assess. But on the right to strike, our position is clear.

Canada is in a trade war. We need workers and employers focused on protecting jobs, building what Canada needs and making our economy more resilient. The government should be strengthening the conditions for workers and employers to reach agreements, not giving employers another reason to wait for government to step in.”

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