Striking museum workers signal support for binding arbitration

GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 18 /CNW Telbec/ - Striking workers from the Canadian Museum of Civilization and War Museum gave their union a mandate to seek a fair settlement to their 59-day dispute through arbitration, following statements made in the House of Commons by Labour Minister Rona Ambrose yesterday.

Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada , the 420 museum workers have been on strike for 59 days - a week longer than last year's OC Transpo strike. After almost nine weeks of picketing, letter-writing, lobbying and protesting outside politicians' offices, there are still no negotiations taking place between the parties, because the corporation refuses point blank to discuss contracting-out.

Yesterday, in response to a question from Liberal Heritage critic Pablo Rodriguez , Ambrose said, "I stand ready to appoint an arbitrator." By voting in favour of accepting Ambrose's proposal, the museum workers have signaled their willingness to negotiate a fair end to their labour dispute with their employer.

"We have been ready and willing to negotiate for the last 59 days," said John Gordon , PSAC National President. "The Museum of Civilization Corporation has left its workers out in the cold for far too long. We hope that CEO Victor Rabinovitch does the right thing today and agrees to move our dispute to arbitration."

For further information: Ariel Troster, PSAC Communications, [phone]