Labour minister wants rail strike resolved today
'We don't have days before us, we have hours' ― Blackburn
Last Updated: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 | 9:33 AM ET
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/02/20/cn-strike-070220.html
Federal Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn said early Tuesday he'd consider back-to-work legislation unless a strike at CN Rail is settled within hours.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board refused on Monday evening to rule that the strike, which is entering its 11th day, is illegal.
Blackburn said on Tuesday that he told both parties in a phone call Monday night that the situation cannot continue amid complaints from the grain, chemical, automotive and shipping industries, as well as remote communities that depend on rail service for food and fuel.
"I told them we don't have days before us, we have hours ― they have hours," he said.
The two sides are expected to meet separately Tuesday with Elizabeth MacPherson, the federal government's chief labour mediator.
Blackburn said he is considering "all options" to get the 2,800 striking workers back on the job, including back-to-work legislation.
The minister also said the two sides could implement a cooling-off period and return to work while talks continue.
"I don't want to tell them what they have … to do. They know the reality of the economy. They know this situation cannot continue," he said.
The United Transportation Union had said it would respect the Canada Industrial Relations Board's ruling and the strikers would return to work if CN's request for a back-to-work order were approved.
The three-member board panel headed by CIRB vice-chair Julie Durette issued an oral ruling rejecting CN's argument that the UTU had given improper notice of the walkout and union officials had acted without a proper mandate. The reasons for the decision were to be released later.
CN spokesman Mark Hallman said the company was disappointed by the ruling, adding: "We're offering to resume bargaining, but we want to see also a return to work of the employees, and during that renewed bargaining a 60-day cooling-off period before any further labour action could be launched."
When talks broke off Feb. 9, CN said the union was demanding a three-year contract with pay raises of 4.5, 4.5 and four per cent for the 2,800 conductors and yard-service workers, who the company said earned an average of $75,000 last year, with one-quarter of them paid over $90,000.
Federal back-to-work legislation has been enacted 31 times since 1950, including six times in the rail industry, most recently in 1995.
Whether such a law would pass in the current minority Parliament is unclear.
The NDP flatly opposes such a bill. The Bloc Québécois wouldn't declare whether it would support legislation, and Liberal labour critic Mario Silva said it was premature to determine if the party would endorse a back-to-work bill.
Blackburn, who on Monday said he is "preoccupied" by the strike's impact, said MPs must set aside politics and act in the best interest of the country.
"We know we are a minority government, but at certain times Parliament has to take certain decisions that are the best for our economy," he said. "We cannot let people in far, remote areas not get their food and fuel."
'We don't have days before us, we have hours' ― Blackburn
Last Updated: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 | 9:33 AM ET
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/02/20/cn-strike-070220.html
Federal Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn said early Tuesday he'd consider back-to-work legislation unless a strike at CN Rail is settled within hours.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board refused on Monday evening to rule that the strike, which is entering its 11th day, is illegal.
Blackburn said on Tuesday that he told both parties in a phone call Monday night that the situation cannot continue amid complaints from the grain, chemical, automotive and shipping industries, as well as remote communities that depend on rail service for food and fuel.
"I told them we don't have days before us, we have hours ― they have hours," he said.
The two sides are expected to meet separately Tuesday with Elizabeth MacPherson, the federal government's chief labour mediator.
Blackburn said he is considering "all options" to get the 2,800 striking workers back on the job, including back-to-work legislation.
The minister also said the two sides could implement a cooling-off period and return to work while talks continue.
"I don't want to tell them what they have … to do. They know the reality of the economy. They know this situation cannot continue," he said.
The United Transportation Union had said it would respect the Canada Industrial Relations Board's ruling and the strikers would return to work if CN's request for a back-to-work order were approved.
The three-member board panel headed by CIRB vice-chair Julie Durette issued an oral ruling rejecting CN's argument that the UTU had given improper notice of the walkout and union officials had acted without a proper mandate. The reasons for the decision were to be released later.
CN spokesman Mark Hallman said the company was disappointed by the ruling, adding: "We're offering to resume bargaining, but we want to see also a return to work of the employees, and during that renewed bargaining a 60-day cooling-off period before any further labour action could be launched."
When talks broke off Feb. 9, CN said the union was demanding a three-year contract with pay raises of 4.5, 4.5 and four per cent for the 2,800 conductors and yard-service workers, who the company said earned an average of $75,000 last year, with one-quarter of them paid over $90,000.
Federal back-to-work legislation has been enacted 31 times since 1950, including six times in the rail industry, most recently in 1995.
Whether such a law would pass in the current minority Parliament is unclear.
The NDP flatly opposes such a bill. The Bloc Québécois wouldn't declare whether it would support legislation, and Liberal labour critic Mario Silva said it was premature to determine if the party would endorse a back-to-work bill.
Blackburn, who on Monday said he is "preoccupied" by the strike's impact, said MPs must set aside politics and act in the best interest of the country.
"We know we are a minority government, but at certain times Parliament has to take certain decisions that are the best for our economy," he said. "We cannot let people in far, remote areas not get their food and fuel."
