At an emergency meeting on August 17, Canadian Labour Congress - Congrès du travail du Canada unanimously supported CUPE’s legal strike by Air Canada flight attendants and passed a unanimous motion in response to the federal government’s shocking threat of invoking Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code.
Read the following Statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, following the emergency meeting:
‘’Tonight, the heads of Canada’s unions met in an emergency session to stand united behind Air Canada Flight Attendants in defying the government’s unconstitutional attack on workers’ rights.
We came out stronger and united, with a clear message to push back against the government’s attacks on workers’ rights: an attack on one is an attack on all. The labour movement is united and standing firm, and we will not allow these Charter-protected rights to be trampled upon.
Canada’s unions voted unanimously to call on the federal government to:
- Immediately withdraw the order under s.107 to end the legal strike by the Air Canada Component of CUPE, sending the parties to binding arbitration;·
- Commit to immediately cease the use of s.107 to end or prevent a legal strike in any labour dispute in the federal jurisdiction; and·
- Agree to amend the Canada Labour Code to remove s. 107 as the first order of business when Parliament resumes.
If the government refuses to rescind the s. 107 order, the CLC shall: ·
- Promote and coordinate a fight back campaign including the federations of labour and local labour councils, reminding politicians and Canadians more broadly what these workers are fighting for;·
- Promote and coordinate financial contributions from affiliates and others to assist with the legal and other costs related to the Air Canada Component of CUPE’s decision to defy the Minister’s order; ·
- Disseminate information on demonstrations and other actions with affiliates quickly to ensure maximum impact; and·
- Work with CUPE and all affiliates to ensure that if the government takes legal action against these workers, the labour movement will respond swiftly and stand united in unwavering solidarity.
In solidarity,
Bea BruskePresident