The union representing railway workers has said it is exploring options to challenge Ottawa’s decision to ask the Canada Industrial Relations Board to impose final, binding arbitration to end the closure of both of its largest railways of Canada.
In a speech in Ottawa less than 24 hours after thousands of union workers were locked out of the country’s two main railway companies, Labor Minister Steve MacKinnon said he will use his powers under the Canada Labor Code to “ensure industrial peace” and final , to impose binding arbitration. .
He said he has also directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to extend the term of the current collective agreement until an agreement is reached and order a return to work.
François Laporte, national president of Teamsters Canada, said Thursday that the union was speaking with its legal advisers and considering next steps.
“We believe that the Supreme Court’s decision regarding our right to strike is a constitutional right. And we believe that the application of section 107 (of the Canada Labor Code) is not valid. We are reviewing our options regarding that situation,” he told reporters in Calgary on Friday.
Laporte said the union was blindsided by MacKinnon’s announcement of binding arbitration.
“Two weeks ago he said no (binding) arbitration and no back to work (legislation),” he said.
Laporte said they will continue to oppose arbitration by a third party.
“The best way to win a contract is at the negotiating table,” he said.
Shortly after MacKinnon’s announcement, Canadian National said in a statement that it was ending the lockout.
Receive the latest national news
For news affecting Canada and the rest of the world, sign up for breaking news alerts sent straight to you as they happen.
“While CN awaits the formal order from the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), the company is making this decision to accelerate the recovery of the economy,” the rail company said in a statement Thursday.
On the other hand, the CPKC said it could not resume service because the union “refused to discuss any resumption of service, and instead indicated that they wanted to make comments challenging the constitutionality of the minister’s policy .”
“While the Minister has directed that the CIRB proceed expeditiously, any decision by the CIRB on the resumption of service will be deferred. CPKC remains ready to resume service as soon as the CIRB directs,” a statement said.
Laporte said rail workers will not leave the picket lines yet.
“We are here and we will stay here,” he said.
Dennis Darby, president and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, welcomed the order but said it would be some time before the trains would run again.
“The suspension of rail services in recent days, culminating in this morning’s complete shutdown, has imposed significant supply chain and business challenges for manufacturers across the country – issues that will take days, if not weeks, to resolve release,” he said.
However, he said it was better than a prolonged closure.
“A prolonged strike would have imposed enormous costs on Canadian businesses and workers,” he said.
Grain Growers of Canada, a group representing 65,000 grain producers across Canada, called on railways and unions to resume services as soon as possible.
“For the good of Canada’s food, economic and national security, we call on all parties to adhere to yesterday’s guidance and work with, and not against, the CIRB to resume rail service,” the group said .
For every day the strike continues, farmers will continue to suffer heavy losses, according to the group.
“Grain farmers will continue to lose $50 million a day if the total closure of our national railways continues. Now is the time to get Canada’s railways back on track,” they said in a statement.
Speaking to Global News last week, TCRC spokesperson Christopher Monette said the negotiations were about more than just money.
“The main problems now are related to fatigue, rest, planning and forced relocation. The companies want to try to give the impression that our members are all extremely well paid and spoiled. But the reality now is that these are multi-billion dollar businesses, and our members spend more than 80 hours a week of their lives working on these businesses,” he said.
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
