Union representatives from CUPE and major Crown corporations have joined the official opposition in Ottawa in criticizing the Harper government’s interference in the collective bargaining process at public corporations.
“This isn’t the first time the Harper government has tried to meddle with negotiations at Radio-Canada,” stated Denis Bolduc, secretary general of CUPE Quebec. “In 2009, the government disregarded a duly signed agreement between CUPE and the SRC by imposing new working conditions under Bill C-10. CUPE contested the provisions of this bill, and the Quebec Superior Court ruled it unconstitutional!”
“Despite the Superior Court’s reminding the Harper government of the importance of freedom of association, the government is refusing to abide by the Court’s decision and has come back with Bill C-60.”
The NDP and numerous unions are launching an offensive to get the Conservatives to reverse their position on Bill C-60, the budget implementation bill.
“Bill C-60 is yet another attack against unionized and non-unionized workers across this country,” said NDP labour critic Alexandre Boulerice. “It’s a serious attempt to undermine the independence of Crown corporations and shows complete disregard for the administrators of these corporations.”