Quebec Labor Minister Jean Boulet is considering amending the law to give the government more power to intervene in labor disputes.
In his year-end summary, Boulet openly expressed interest in federal legislation that would give Ottawa the power to end strikes and lockouts and impose arbitration.
This discretionary power, section 107 of the Canada Labor Code, has recently been used to end labor disputes at the nation’s railways, three major ports, and Canada Post.
Although the law can only be used in Ottawa to intervene in disputes under federal jurisdiction, Boulet suggested similar legislation could also be useful in disputes in Quebec.
“There have been labor disputes that have plagued and affected us, including food processing, Notre-Dame-des-Neiges cemetery, education, and public transportation,” he said.
but Boulet claim He said he was always looking for ways to end these disputes and find solutions that would allow the parties to break the impasse.
The minister is also considering expanding Quebec’s list of essential services, which could prevent some workers from leaving their jobs altogether.
“Perhaps we need to come up with new standards for determining what services should be maintained in the event of a labor dispute, strike or lockout,” he said.
Concerns that the right to strike may be undermined
Chairperson Caroline Senneville National Union CSN, one of Quebec’s largest unions, said it was surprised by Boulet’s comments and urged ministers to be cautious before following Ottawa’s lead.
She points out that the use of section 107 of the Canada Labor Code is being challenged in court and could one day be deemed unconstitutional.
Senneville is concerned that the federal government’s repeated interference in labor disputes could undermine the right to strike in Canada and spark more conflict.
“What we’re seeing these days is employers saying, ‘We don’t have to negotiate because there’s arbitration,’ and that’s not constitutional because unions have the right to “There are two very important Supreme Court decisions that say that employers negotiate in good faith before them,” she said.
Senneville said CSN wants to engage in discussions about the minister’s intentions, but the union “will never engage in discussions that result in the loss of hard-won rights protected by the Canadian Constitution.” said.
