Canada's biggest union warns government trying to remove workers’ rights | Daily Hive

CUPE Ontario

The largest union in Canada has issued a warning that recent federal government proposals are targeting workers’ rights, including their ability to strike.

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario, which is part of the national 800,000-member union, shared the statement on May 21, just days before the consultation period ends on a document released by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

According to the Government of Canada, the consultation document titled Building Canada Strong for All – Powered by Canada’s Workers, aims to modernize the federal labour relations framework.

However, CUPE stated that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s attempts to rescind workers’ rights to free collective bargaining would lead to “fierce resistance” from labour.

Air Canada Component of CUPE

You might also like:

“The Carney Liberals must have the shortest memories ever,” said CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn in a release. “They appear to have already forgotten that less than a year ago, 10,000 CUPE flight attendants refused to give up their right to strike to defend against unpaid work.

“Three years ago, there was nearly a general strike in Ontario, when the entire labour movement came out in support of 55,000 CUPE education workers, who defied Doug Ford when he tried to remove their right to strike. And just today, the International Court of Justice confirmed that International Labour Organization Convention 87 protects workers’ right to strike – and Canada ratified that convention in 1972.”

ESDC released the consultation document on its website on April 17, asking employers and employer representatives, unions, employee groups and key stakeholders to provide feedback on several areas. Some of the highlighted measures include:

adjusted timelines for collective bargaining;
strengthening training supports for workers impacted by artificial intelligence and automation;
updating workplace health and safety protections; and
strengthening protections against misclassification and wage theft, and exploring options to ensure union rights carry over when contracts are retendered.

“As the world of work is changing and bringing new challenges, workers and businesses are key to the success of Canada’s ambition,” said Patty Hajdu, minister of jobs and families and minister responsible for the federal economic development agency for northern Ontario, in a statement.

“These consultations are about listening to unions, workers, employers and partners across the country to ensure that federally regulated workplaces remain fair, modern and supportive while empowering workers to thrive.”

CUPE Ontario

The submission deadline for written feedback on Building Canada Strong for All – Powered by Canada’s Workers was originally set for May 18, but it was extended to May 25.

Feedback gathered through the consultation process, as well as through other existing forums, will be collected in a “What We Heard” report that the federal government said would be used to help inform policy decisions.

However, CUPE Ontario claims that the government’s discussion paper on the proposed changes was provided to only a few select parties for feedback with “very tight timelines.”

The union also rebuffed claims from ESDC that proposed changes to Canadian labour laws would “ensure that workers are better protected and supported.”

“Standards and protections that we take for granted today – the eight-hour workday, weekends, parental leave, pensions, and so much more – none of them were given by the good graces of employers or the government,” added Hahn about workers’ rights. “Each of these rights was won by workers who withdrew their labour when necessary.

“So whatever back-room deal the Liberals are cooking up with Canada’s CEOs, they need to understand: the right to strike is something workers know is necessary to the gains they make. It is a right we will defend, and if federal Liberals want a fight on this point. They will get one.”