Feds wary of back-to-work legislation despite employer demands: labour experts

The Canadian Press  16/09/2024 06:46 In an era of increased strike activity and union power, labour experts say it’s not surprising to see more calls for government intervention in certain sectors like transportation. What’s new, experts say, is the fact that the government isn’t jumping to enact back-to-work legislation. Brock University labour professor Larry Savage says for decades, companies in federally regulated sectors, like airlines, railways and ports essentially relied on government intervention through back-to-work legislation to end or avoid work stoppages. “While this helped to avert protracted strikes, it also undermined free and fair collective bargaining. It eroded trust between management and the union over the long term, and it created deep-seated resentment in the workplace,” he said. Barry Eidlin calls it a “Canadian tradition.” “Canadian governments, both federal…

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