OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, FETCO is urging the Minister of Labour, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, to take the extraordinary, but necessary, step to intervene in the current collective bargaining disputes at Canadian National Railway Company and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway. Simultaneous work stoppages at Canada's two primary railways – which appear imminent – pose a major threat to the Canadian economy from coast-to-coast-to-coast. The entire supply chain will be disrupted and no Canadian will go unaffected.
FETCO and its members unequivocally support the right to collective bargaining and the right to strike or lockout – rights that are protected under Canadian law. However, it is clear that these rights are not absolute. Indeed, the case law and other authorities confirm that the rights to strike and lockout can be restricted – and even prohibited – in appropriate circumstances.
For this reason, FETCO is urging the Minister to immediately refer these disputes to binding arbitration, with a prohibition on the right to strike or lockout. The Minister possesses broad powers to take these and other actions to secure industrial peace and resolve industrial disputes. There is no legislation or case law prohibiting the Minister from intervening in this manner, either via back-to-work legislation or a Section 107 referral under the Canada Labour Code.
We urge him to assert this authority and act immediately. Further details can be found here: https://fetco.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FETCO-Letter-Minister-Options-2025-Labour-Disruptions-Aug.-19-2024-FINAL.pdf
About FETCO
FETCO is an employers' association, representing 38 major federally regulated organizations. FETCO members collectively employ over 500,000 Canadian workers, mostly in unionized organizations, and all are regulated under the Canada Labour Code. FETCO advocates on behalf of our member employers on the development of sound policy in the labour realm.
SOURCE FETCO
For further information, please contact: Derrick Hynes, President and CEO, FETCO, 613-406-5521, [email protected]
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