FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 31, 2008
Union Disappointed that Collective Bargaining Process Impeded
OTTAWA, Ont. - Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 279 President Andre Cornellier today
stated
that his members were disappointed that the Minister’s decision impedes the collective
bargaining process:
“Nobody likes a strike, nobody wants to walk a picket line or not
receive pay, but Canada’s collective bargaining system is built on the concept that if a
settlement can’t be reached in negotiations, an employer can lock out employees, or a union can take a strike.”
Cornellier commented:
"We believe the Minister made the wrong decision today, in our
view it is inconsistent with the fundamental purpose of the Canada Labour Code.”
The Union argued that the Canada Labour Code allows that bargaining disputes be resolved through strike or lockout, the Minister’s decision is inconsistent with the purpose of the Code. The Union notes that many transit strikes in Canada have lasted much longer than what has occurred to date in Ottawa.