PSAC-Quebec joins with the Fédération des travailleuses et travailleurs du Québec (FTQ) in welcoming the adoption at third reading of anti-scab legislation for organizations under federal jurisdiction (Bill C-58).
“This is another good step toward passing the bill,” said Yvon Barrière, Executive Vice-President, PSAC-Quebec. “But with labour disputes like we’re currently experiencing with our Non-Public Funds members, it’s crucial to keep up this fight.”
Indeed, the government’s bill completely ignores its own workers. As drafted, C-58 only covers the Canada Labour Code. It omits workers subject to the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act, leaving the majority of PSAC members unprotected.
As recently as last spring, some federal departments were encouraging their workers to do remote work in order to get around the strike. In the case of striking Non-Public Funds workers at Canadian Forces bases in Quebec, National Defence is using military personnel to carry out our members’ work. This unfair labour practice seriously hampers our ability to reach fair agreements for our members.
While imperfect, C-58 does address a demand that’s been around for over 40 years.
“This bill is key to balancing the bargaining process between employers and unions. It’s clear that using scabs needlessly prolongs bargaining and conflicts, as it allows employers to put their workers out on the street and continue operations. And that practice is utterly indecent,” said FTQ President Magali Picard.