Protect The Right to Strike
“Just weeks ago, Prime Minister Marc Carney delivered a Labour Day statement in support of Canadian unionized workers. Now, he aims to strip away one of our fundamental rights: the right to strike”. – Northumberland Labour Council President Dan Tobin
A fair deal requires the right to strike!
Bill C-39 would grant the Federal Labour Minister the authority to order the Labour Board to end a legal strike based on the Minister’s assessment of the national interest. When employers anticipate government intervention, they are less likely to negotiate fairly.
Families are facing significant pressure in their daily lives, while large corporations continue to report record-breaking profits. In this context, the federal government has introduced legislation that would further weaken workers’ bargaining rights during an ongoing trade war.
Bill C-39 would give the government new and expanded powers to intervene in and shut down legal strikes.
The Northumberland Labour Council stands with workers across Northumberland, Ontario, and Canada. We advocate for the following amendments to Bill C-39:
– Reject any provisions that allow the government to intervene in or end a legal strike.
– Protect workers’ right to withdraw their labour and wield their full bargaining power to secure a fair deal.
– Facilitate easier negotiations between workers and employers to reach agreements at the bargaining table.
– Ensure that changes to the Canada Labour Code promote good jobs, strong industries, investment in Canada, and fair compensation for workers.
Collective bargaining is essential for workers and employers to reach mutually beneficial agreements. The right to strike provides workers with the leverage needed to negotiate fairly. Without this leverage, employers may feel less inclined to compromise, leaving workers with diminished power to advocate for fair wages, safe workplaces, secure jobs, and solutions to workplace issues.
“We strengthen Canada by supporting the people who contribute to it. Now is the time to stand with Canada’s workers.” – Dan Tobin, President of Northumberland Labour Council.
