FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 2, 2024
[Toronto, ON] – On this Labour Day, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is voicing strong criticism of the Canadian Government’s recent order to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to enact back-to-work legislation and force arbitration concerning the ongoing lockout of workers at Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Railway Kansas City (CPKC). The union condemns the move as a heavy-handed intervention that undermines workers’ rights and collective bargaining processes.
The legislation, which was passed to address the labour dispute between the railroads and their workers, mandates that workers return to their jobs immediately and imposes arbitration to resolve outstanding contract issues.
“We are deeply disappointed by the Canadian government’s decision to impose this back-to-work legislation,” said David Chartrand, IAM Canadian General Vice-President. “This move is an affront to the democratic process of collective bargaining and ignores the legitimate grievances of the workers who have been locked out. The IAM in Canada has many members who fall under federal jurisdiction and we are very concerned that the precedent set here could decimate the labour movement’s power at the bargaining table.”
The IAM asserts that the legislation effectively nullifies the workers’ leverage in negotiations and undermines the role of unions in representing their members’ interests. We say clearly that such government intervention could set a troubling precedent for labour relations in Canada, potentially discouraging fair and equitable bargaining in future disputes.
“The Canadian Government’s decision is a clear message that they prioritize corporate interests over the rights and well-being of workers,” Chartrand continued. “We urge the government to reconsider this approach and force the parties back to the bargaining table to ensure a fair resolution that respects the voices of the workers.”
On this Labour Day, as Canadians celebrate workers, the IAM demands that the Government stay out of collective bargaining and give Canadian workers the rights they deserve and uphold the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
