On Tuesday, the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) joined the Canadian Union of Public Employees’ (CUPE) rally on Parliament Hill to call for effective federal anti-scab legislation.
CAPE showed up to demonstrate the Association’s support for a law that would strengthen unions’ strike power – protecting striking workers and penalizing employers who hire strike-breakers.
“The right to strike is fundamental to move the needle on better working conditions,” said CAPE President Mr. Camille Awada. “Raising our voice in solidarity with other unions that are calling for legislation that protects workers adds the pressure needed to move this forward faster.”
CUPE National President Mark Hancock and Canadian Labour Congress Secretary-Treasurer Lily Chang spoke to the crowd who gathered on the Hill about the need for a law that strengthens unions’ right to strike. Several members of Parliament also addressed the rally, including Alexandre Boulerice, Louise Chabot and Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan. All spoke to the urgent need to protect worker’ rights and ensure they have the protection of anti-strike-breaker legislation.
CUPE has long called on the federal government to pass anti-scab legislation that would include heavy fines for employers who hire scabs or encourage employees to cross picket lines, and strong protection for striking workers. In 2015, striking was recognized as a constitutional right by the Supreme Court of Canada.
On September 18, the day before the rally, Minister O’Regan announced that he would be tabling legislation in the fall to ban the use of replacement workers in federally regulated workplaces during a strike or lockout.
CAPE stands firmly with the voices calling for laws that protect striking employees and further codify the right to strike for workers across the country.
