ALPA Canada Responds to Government Intervention in CN/CPKC Shutdown
OTTAWA, ONT. — Today, ALPA Canada president Capt. Tim Perry issued the following statement in response to the government of Canada reversing its position to allow CN/CPKC rail workers the opportunity to utilize all the tools available to them under the Canada Labour Code, by asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to settle the outstanding terms of the collective agreements and impose final binding arbitration.
“The government’s decision to intervene in the labour dispute between CN/CPKC and rail workers, represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (Teamsters), less than 24 hours after the lock out began is truly disappointing.
“The Canada Labour Code strives for balance in collective bargaining, and this action by the government of Canada amounts to putting its finger on the scales. ALPA Canada believes it is always in the best interests of both sides to negotiate contracts in good faith at the negotiating table while being allowed to utilize all the functions available under the Canadian Labour Code, including strike and lockout provisions.
“Labour disputes such as this are deeply concerning to the public, but this situation is even more troubling for our members, and all workers, whose rights afforded to them under the Canada Labour Code are being eroded, and frankly, disrespected, by government intervention like this.
“Within our own association, as a result of slow progress at the bargaining table and a management team that continues to fail to properly value its employees, yesterday the Air Canada pilots voted 98% in favour of authorizing job action under the Canada Labour Code. To ensure fairness, that must mean having all legal and constitutional options available during our negotiating cycle with Air Canada management. The right to strike is a constitutional one and must be respected.
“If and when the time comes, we expect the government to respect the collective bargaining process and uphold the rights of Air Canada pilots. We strongly encourage the government to stand by their earlier public statements, that it is in the best interests of both sides to continue dialogue at the negotiating table to reach an agreement … without government intervention.”
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world, representing more than 78,000 pilots at 41 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.
-###-
CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org
Featured Articles
