The Federation of Labour is strongly opposed to what it calls “sweeping and regressive changes to the Canada Labour Code” contained within the Building Canada Strong Act.
The federation says Bill C-39 will fundamentally undermine the right to strike – a right protected in the Constitution.
President Jessica McCormick says the legislation will give a federal minister the unilateral power to end a legal strike based on “national interest.”
(Photo via CUPE)
The federal government intervened, forcing workers back to work in a number of recent labour disputes including Canada Post, Air Canada and CN Rail.
McCormick says that broad and undefined stipulation is a “red line that cannot be crossed.”
She says proposed changes to the Canada Labour Code would give a single minister the power to shut down a legal strike with no requirement to go to Parliament.
McCormick says government intervention undermines the good-faith bargaining process.
