On the eve of a possible strike and lockout of thousands of Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) members, PSAC supports their quest for a fair collective agreement achieved through bargaining or mediation between the parties rather than imposed by a third party. We call on the employer to resolve this dispute through collective bargaining and by addressing the workers’ key demands at the table.
“It’s not for the federal government or business lobbies to decide,” said Yvon Barrière, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President, Quebec. “The employer must lift its threat of a lockout and return to the bargaining table promptly and in good faith.”
PSAC looks to the federal government to respect the collective bargaining process and not to impose back-to-work legislation on these workers should they engage in strike action. We know that the government will be under significant pressure by the business community to force the return of these workers, instead of forcing the employer to negotiate.
“The economy is a burden carried heavily on the backs of all Canadians,” said Barrière, “but this should not compromise workers’ right to strike. Restricting their desire to improve their conditions offers us no respite—quite the opposite.”