Canada’s unions look to government to keep its commitment on the right to strike

Statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress:

Today, the federal government is expected to introduce significant changes to the Canada Labour Code.

Canada’s unions will be watching closely.

The government has repeatedly said it will protect the right to strike. We welcome that commitment. Today, we expect to see what it means in practice.

Canada is confronting an extraordinary economic threat from the United States. This is a moment to pull together, build more here at home, attract investment and strengthen our economic security.

Canada’s unions are part of Team Canada. We have our elbows up. We are ready to build, invest and fight for Canadian jobs. But we can’t have our elbows up against Trump with our hands tied at the bargaining table.

The right to strike is what gives us the power to bargain for better wages, safer workplaces and greater job security. Weakening that power will not create greater stability or labour peace. It risks doing the opposite.

Throughout the government’s review, unions have called for stronger protections for workers and for government to step back from intervening in legal labour disputes. Employers have pushed for new powers to limit strikes and increase government intervention when bargaining gets difficult.

Our bargaining power is part of Canada’s economic security. We can attract investment, build the industries and infrastructure Canada needs and protect the fundamental rights of the people doing the work.

Canada’s unions are ready to work with the government to do exactly that.

But we have also been clear: any new restriction on our right to strike is unacceptable.

We will review the legislation carefully and respond to the details once it is introduced.

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