Northern MPs oppose anti-scab law

By a margin of 104 to 86, Parliament recently voted down Bill C-328, legislation designed to prevent the use of replacement workers during legal strikes.

All three northern Liberal MPs: Larry Bagnell (Yukon), Ethel Blondin-Andrew (Western Arctic), and Nancy Karetak-Lindell (Nunavut), voted against this proposed amendment to the Canada Labour Code, which applies to everyone in the three territories except for federal and territorial public service workers.

Northerners know all too well how destructive the practice of hiring replacement workers can be. This was the number one reason that the strike-lock-out at Giant Mine in the early 1990s turned so ugly.

It is therefore utterly irresponsible for them to vote against a bill that would have helped prevent a similar tragedy from ever occurring again.

In Quebec, such legislation has been in effect since 1986. Since then, in a province where it used to be the norm, there have been very few violent confrontations or even protracted strikes. Even a number of PC and Alliance MPs voted in favour of the legislation.

What does all this say about our three northern MPs? Fortunately, you can be the judge. A federal election is fast approaching and it will be time for these three to stand before us, the electorate, and be held to account for the bad choices they have made.

Jean-François Des Lauriers
Regional Executive Vice President
PSAC North