Canada’s labour leaders to establish war room to fight Carney’s strike restrictions

OTTAWA – Labour leaders from across Canada announced today that they will establish a national labour war room to support unions facing government intervention and coordinate their response to the proposed strike restrictions in Bill C-39.

Meeting in Ottawa at the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) Canadian Council, union leaders committed to bringing together legal, political and communications resources to defend affected unions and their members. They warned Prime Minister Mark Carney that his government’s proposed restrictions risk triggering years of labour conflict and costly constitutional challenges.

Union leaders pledged to fight the proposed restrictions in Bill C-39 and called on the government to repeal Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code.

“Bill C-39 could leave Canada facing years of labour conflict and costly court battles,” said CLC President Bea Bruske. “Businesses want to get goods moving, reach new markets and build major projects. Years spent fighting workers in court won’t accomplish any of that.”

The warning comes as Carney hosts European Union leaders in Montréal to deepen economic ties, amid reports that EU countries have dropped a proposal to offer Canada associate membership.

The International Trade Union Confederation has warned that the proposed restrictions are highly likely to violate Canada’s international labour obligations. IndustriALL Global Union and the OECD’s Trade Union Advisory Committee have also challenged the government’s approach.

Labour leaders warn that giving employers reason to expect government intervention will make disputes harder to resolve, not easier.

“For our members, the consequences are clear. An employer counting on Ottawa to intervene has no reason to bargain seriously. Nobody wants a strike, especially those who have to give up their pay. The right to strike is the only leverage we have at the bargaining table,” said David Chartrand, Canadian General Vice-President of the IAM.

“What’s happening at Stelco reminds us how much power corporations already have over workers. With C-39, the government would take away the one thing workers have to push back: the right to strike. We all want a strong economy. But you cannot build a stronger Canada by weakening the rights of the workers who build it,” said Marty Warren, National Director of the United Steelworkers.

Bruske urged the Prime Minister to recognize that respecting workers’ rights is part of building a strong economy as he meets with European leaders.

“Canada needs a strong economy, and workers are essential to making that happen. Weakening their rights won’t get us there. The government needs to repeal Section 107 and scrap these new strike restrictions.”

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