The head of the Canadian union representing rail workers says Saturday's decision by the Canada Industrial Relations Board sets a bad precedent for future negotiations in other industries.A decision by the Canada Industrial Relations Board to send a rail dispute to binding arbitration and resume operations could have spillover effects in other industries, a Teamsters union leader says.
The decision comes as Air Canada pilots press for a new contract and can commence job action as early as mid-September if there is no agreement with the country's largest carrier. Air Canada said on Sunday its intent is to reach a negotiated settlement with the pilots over the coming weeks. "The new minister of labour does not trust the Canadian laws governing collective bargaining, nor does the government he represents respect the constitutional rights of workers," Perry said in a statement.The CBC’s Janyce McGregor joins The House to discuss the political pressures behind the work stoppage at Canada's two biggest railways, and the fallout that threatens to linger.
A CPKC spokesperson said the company regretted that Ottawa had to intervene and that it fundamentally believes in and respects collective bargaining.