I take the government's side for a change.
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The union representing Canada Post carriers is accusing the federal government of violating its members' constitutional rights by pushing emergency legislation to force them back to work.
Labour Minister Patty Hajdu tabled the bill in the House of Commons Thursday morning, triggering a swift rebuke from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).
Canada Post is in its fifth week of rotating strikes by thousands of unionized workers, with no sign yet of a breakthrough in contract negotiations.
Hajdu said the Liberal government is a strong supporter of organized labour and workers' rights and still hopes for a negotiated settlement, but the labour disruption has caused problems for small businesses, people in rural and remote communities and low-income Canadians relying on cheques to pay bills.
"We also have a responsibility to all Canadians and to the businesses that drive our economy, and when the consequences of a work stoppage become so great that they begin to result in serious or lasting harm, we must act," she said.
"When a strike or a lockout is affecting thousands, or even millions of people, the government must intervene."
Holiday pressure
The government claims it has been forced to act because, with Black Friday and the Christmas holiday season approaching, Canadians need to know they can rely on an efficient mail delivery service.
Parcels have been piling up and deliveries from other countries have been suspended, Hadju said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said back-to-work legislation is never the best option and he hopes the government won't need to move forward on it.
"But hearing from businesses, Canadians right across the country, particularly as we approach the holiday season, who are really feeling negative impacts of this ... while we are continuing to hold out hope that there's going to be a settlement or an agreement at the bargaining table, we also have to do what's responsible and prepare for the possible need for legislation," he said during a stop in Calgary.
Mike Palecek, president of CUPW, called it "unconscionable" that a government that professes to champion workers' rights would table this bill.
Constitutional rights breached?
"Obviously we're outraged. It's another violation of our constitutional rights. Free collective bargaining is a Charter right in this country and it's time the governments respect it," he said. Palacek accused the government of supporting organized labour only when it's convenient and of doing Canada Post's "dirty work." He said the union's legal team will review the legislation.
The Liberals also tabled a motion to pass the bill in a compressed time frame instead of pushing it through the normal three stages of readings and committee hearings, which typically takes several weeks. MPs have begun debate on the motion, which will be followed by debate on the bill itself if a resolution is not reached in the labour dispute.
'''We'''re outraged''': Union rips Liberal back-to-work bill for Canada Post carriers | CBC News
You?.
The union representing Canada Post carriers is accusing the federal government of violating its members' constitutional rights by pushing emergency legislation to force them back to work.
Labour Minister Patty Hajdu tabled the bill in the House of Commons Thursday morning, triggering a swift rebuke from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).
Canada Post is in its fifth week of rotating strikes by thousands of unionized workers, with no sign yet of a breakthrough in contract negotiations.
Hajdu said the Liberal government is a strong supporter of organized labour and workers' rights and still hopes for a negotiated settlement, but the labour disruption has caused problems for small businesses, people in rural and remote communities and low-income Canadians relying on cheques to pay bills.
"We also have a responsibility to all Canadians and to the businesses that drive our economy, and when the consequences of a work stoppage become so great that they begin to result in serious or lasting harm, we must act," she said.
"When a strike or a lockout is affecting thousands, or even millions of people, the government must intervene."
Holiday pressure
The government claims it has been forced to act because, with Black Friday and the Christmas holiday season approaching, Canadians need to know they can rely on an efficient mail delivery service.
Parcels have been piling up and deliveries from other countries have been suspended, Hadju said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said back-to-work legislation is never the best option and he hopes the government won't need to move forward on it.
"But hearing from businesses, Canadians right across the country, particularly as we approach the holiday season, who are really feeling negative impacts of this ... while we are continuing to hold out hope that there's going to be a settlement or an agreement at the bargaining table, we also have to do what's responsible and prepare for the possible need for legislation," he said during a stop in Calgary.
Mike Palecek, president of CUPW, called it "unconscionable" that a government that professes to champion workers' rights would table this bill.
Constitutional rights breached?
"Obviously we're outraged. It's another violation of our constitutional rights. Free collective bargaining is a Charter right in this country and it's time the governments respect it," he said. Palacek accused the government of supporting organized labour only when it's convenient and of doing Canada Post's "dirty work." He said the union's legal team will review the legislation.
The Liberals also tabled a motion to pass the bill in a compressed time frame instead of pushing it through the normal three stages of readings and committee hearings, which typically takes several weeks. MPs have begun debate on the motion, which will be followed by debate on the bill itself if a resolution is not reached in the labour dispute.
'''We'''re outraged''': Union rips Liberal back-to-work bill for Canada Post carriers | CBC News
