After months of good faith negotiations on the part of Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, the parties remain far apart, and both CN and CPKC began their lockout as of 00:01 Eastern on August 22 (21:00 BC time on August 21).
Despite the lockout, the Teamsters remain at the bargaining table with both companies.
PSAC supports Teamsters workers and their quest for a fair collective agreement, achieved through bargaining/mediation between the parties, and not imposed by the third party. We call on the employer to resolve this dispute through collective bargaining, addressing the workers’ key demands at the bargaining table.
UPDATE AS OF AUGUST 22 at 4 PM PDST:
Less than 17 hours after the lockout began, federal Labour Minister MacKinnon announced that he would use his power as labour minister to step in and enact Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. This section of the Code allows the federal government to refer a labour dispute to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to find a solution via binding arbitration.
It’s extremely disappointing that the federal government took this action and is imposing back to work legislation in this matter. This decision by Minister MacKinnon and the Liberal government fails to respect the collective bargaining process and undermines workers.
Despite this update, PSAC members are encouraged to continue their support for Teamsters Canada in their efforts for a fair collective agreement. While back-to-work protocols are being discussed, Teamsters continue to be locked out and pickets will be active until that is resolved.
For members who work alongside Teamster Canada rail workers at the Port of Vancouver or marine ports of entry, work is underway to develop a picket line protocol with Teamsters Canada. In the interim, members are encouraged to consider the following when encountering a picket line:
- Respect the picket line.
- Identify yourself to the picket captain. If possible, have some form of PSAC identification with you to show to the picket captain. You do NOT need your membership card. ID can be anything from showing a PSAC email you’ve received, or a button, etc.
- Should the picket line not let you cross or you fear for your safety, please contact your manager/supervisor to request an escort into the worksite. When requested, an escort must be provided. Do not attempt to cross a picket line you believe would put your personal safety at risk.