New Democrats table bill to protect workers’ right to strike

TORONTO— Today, NDP Leader Don Davies and Winnipeg Centre MP Leah Gazan stood with workers and union leaders to demand real action from the government, highlighting the introduction of Bill C-247, critical legislation that would finally strip Section 107 from the Canada Labour Code, a tool the Liberals have repeatedly used to undermine workers’ rights.

The Liberal government has used Section 107 some eight times to end strikes by railway workers, port workers, Canada Post workers and Air Canada’s flight attendants.

Standing alongside Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) President Bea Bruske and National President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Mark Hancock, Davies and Gazan spoke up in defense of workers throughout Canada.

"Liberal and Conservative governments have repeatedly violated workers’ rights to free collective bargaining in this country. They have repeatedly intervened on the side of management. It’s time to end that misuse of power,” Davies said.

“New Democrats believe that a strong economy needs a strong labour movement, and free and fair collective bargaining is a cornerstone of that relationship,’ said Davies.

Ms. Gazan's Bill C-247 was introduced on Monday. The bill will be brought forward for debate and a vote later during this Parliament. If adopted, it would strike Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code altogether.

"The government needs to stop punishing workers for exercising their Charter right to strike for fair wages and safe working conditions. Through Section 107, the Liberals have repeatedly forced workers back to work without so much as a debate or vote in Parliament. This anti-democratic measure goes even further than Harper’s anti-worker policies,” Gazan said. "Bill C-247 would put a stop to this abuse of power."

“Workers have waited far too long for action. On behalf of the Canadian labour movement, thank you Leah and the NDP caucus for introducing Bill 247 to remove the problematic section of the Canada Labour Code. This bill is about one thing: restoring fairness and respect. No government should ever be able to strip workers of their right to free and fair collective bargaining. Canada’s unions will fight alongside the NDP to get this bill passed. Together, we will keep the pressure on this government, mobilize workers across the country, and ensure that Canada’s labour laws protect workers, not undermine them,” Added Bea Bruske, President of the CLC

"Collective bargaining works - but only when it's allowed to work. It's hard to calculate the damage that's already been done by this Liberal government repeatedly stepping in to take away the only leverage workers have at the bargaining table. It's bad for workers' livelihoods, and it's bad for the constitutional rights of all Canadians. Section 107 has got to go," said CUPE National President Mark Hancock.