For Immediate Release
March 13, 2012
OTTAWA– Liberal Human Resources & Skills Development and Labour critic Rodger Cuzner made the following statement today on the Conservative government’s back-to-work legislation for Air Canada and its employees:
“Instead of encouraging negotiating parties to go to the bargaining table and do everything they can to reach an agreement, this Conservative government has shifted the balance of the negotiations in favour of Air Canada’s management by proceeding with back-to-work legislation and telegraphing their intention to intervene should a disruption occur.
The government is arguing that a service disruption will damage the economy, but they are not considering the damage their wilful neglect of workers’ rights will have on the purchasing power of Canadian workers. The government has to recognize the role that Canadian workers play in our economy.
The Harper Conservatives have directly intervened in four of the five Air Canada labour negotiations. It is not the role of the government to impose labour relations on Air Canada. The federal government is there to provide and support negotiated agreements between parties, not to take sides.”
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Contact:
Press Office
Office of the Liberal Leader
613-947-5100
