Autonomy of Crown corporations must be respected: NDP and workers

OTTAWA — New Democrats and labour unions representing workers at Crown corporations have launched a campaign against sections of Bill C-60, which grant the Treasury Board sweeping powers to intervene in the terms and conditions of employment for workers and managers at Crown corporations.

“Bill C-60 is yet another attack against all Canadian workers—union and non-union alike. It is a serious threat to the independence of our Crown corporations. C-60 strips key powers from the directors of corporations such as the CBC, VIA Rail and Canada Post,” said New Democrat Labour critic Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont--La Petite-Patrie).

“It is completely inappropriate that the Treasury Board would be empowered to step into a workplace and arbitrarily change the compensation of any worker without a union,” he added. “The NDP is concerned that this potential for interference will impact the ability of these corporations to retain high quality workers and effectively serve Canadians.”

Boulerice was accompanied by representatives of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), the Syndicat des communications de Radio-Canada (SCRC), the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA).

“Together, we will fight against this unprecedented assault on the autonomy of Crown corporations. As a first step, we are moving to divide this section of C-60. We are also launching a petition and a grassroots campaign,” concluded Boulerice.