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submitted 1 year ago by NightOwl@lemm.ee to c/canada@lemmy.ca
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[-] ImplyingImplications@lemmy.ca 57 points 1 year ago

the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters association stated “We urge the federal government to deploy any measure at its disposal, especially back-to-work legislation, that will bring the quickest end to the strike. Any delay will only add to the damage done to manufacturers, the economy, and Canada’s global reputation.”

I don't like this. It sets the precedent that industries don't need to negotiate with unions. They just need to wait until the government gets upset with the economic downturn and steps in to force labourers back to work. What's the point of a union if the government won't allow a strike?

[-] grte@lemmy.ca 35 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The unfortunate thing is that this doesn't set a new precedent. The BCMEA is taking the stance that it is because this government has already shown previously it will act on behalf of business over that of working people. The assumption is that it can wait it out and have the government do the dirty work in it's favour, and it has good reason to think so. The results of the government backing business over people has been predictably not great for the longshoremen in Montreal.

But to be honest it was always pretty clear that things would come to this, every sign pointed to it. That's why the unions need to take a page from the Ontario education worker strike last year. Back to work legislation is in effect the legal nullification of the union, in the sense of the power of collective action it represents, and should be treated as a threat to all unions and resisted by any means.

[-] Grant_M@lemmy.ca 8 points 1 year ago

When capitalist billionaire companies are extorting millions of Canadian workers being affected by this strike, the government's hands are tied -- they have to do something. It works out for the capitalist billionaires in two ways: 1) They win the 'negotiation' and 2) They harm the government by making the government the bad guy.

[-] grte@lemmy.ca 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The government could give the workers what they are asking for but the mediator-'assisted' contracts the union is voting down are evidence that they are not doing that. The government is working on behalf of business because they are ideologically and materially motivated to do so. You are giving them far too much benefit of the doubt, in my opinion.

[-] Grant_M@lemmy.ca -1 points 1 year ago

Yes. This going on as long as it has indicates the Union negotiators are failing.

[-] Kichae@kbin.social 11 points 1 year ago

Or the employers are just refusing to negotiate in good faith.

[-] Grant_M@lemmy.ca 0 points 1 year ago

I suspect some of both.

[-] Rentlar@lemmy.ca 6 points 1 year ago

I'm hoping the latest tabled deal since the last rejection is a meaningful improvement. The workers will decide whether it's right for them. If it's still a bad deal, then they should strike regardless of whether back-to-work legislation is put in.

USA ports have shown they will refuse to serve Canada-bound cargo in solidarity. And if they strike again I'll go and show my support.

[-] crow@beehaw.org 5 points 1 year ago

If I ever was on strike and told I had to give in because of legislation, that would be the day I quit.

this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2023
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