CUPE 3902 condemns the Liberal government’s proposed Bill C-39, which would expand the federal government’s powers to unilaterally end a legal strike, with no parliamentary oversight. Bill C-39 is an attack on the ability of workers to negotiate their way to better wages and a better life.
According to the Canadian Labour Congress, Bill C-39 would grant Canada the broadest powers among G7 countries to intervene in legal strikes. In response, the CUPE National Executive Board unanimously adopted a resolution to defy Bill C-39 if this bill passed.
As the CUPE 3902 Executive Committee, we commend CUPE National’s stand to defend workers’ constitutional right to strike. The legal right to strike, currently enshrined in Canadian law, is the most important tool workers can utilize if needed to negotiate a fair contract. This right should be upheld and protected, as it was hard-won through principled labour action, even if said action has not always been lawful.
One thing is clear: there is nothing more detrimental to national interest than selling out workers’ right to collective bargaining to the highest bidder and turning it into a law.
In solidarity,
CUPE 3902 Executive Committee