OTTAWA (Reuters) —Alberta has urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to do all he can to head off potentially devastating strikes by railway and port workers.
Staff represented by the Teamsters union voted overwhelmingly this month to strike as early as May 22. Railways are critical to Canada’s economy, due to its vast geography and exports of grain, potash and coal.
As well, talks between management and unions at the port of Vancouver have hit an impasse.
Read Also
Interest in biological crop inputs continues to grow
It was only a few years ago that interest in alternative methods such as biologicals to boost a crop’s nutrient…
“Any work stoppage affecting our railways and ports would be crippling for our national economy and North American supply chains,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in a letter to Trudeau that was released by her office.
Smith said Ottawa had to do all it could to help the parties in both disputes reach negotiated settlements.
“In the event of a work stoppage, your government must be prepared to use all the tools at its disposal to terminate it rapidly, including, if necessary, back-to-work legislation,” said Smith, one of Trudeau’s main domestic political opponents.
The ruling Liberals could present a draft law to force striking workers back to work but in the past have shown little interest in doing so.
Asked about a possible Vancouver port strike, the office of Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan said: “Our government believes in collective bargaining.”
O’Regan last week asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to look at whether a rail strike might have safety implications.
Until the board has issued a decision, the strike by workers at Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City cannot start. Yesterday, the board asked for submissions by the end of business on May 21 and could take weeks to act.
The unions are currently negotiating contracts and asking for better wages and working conditions.
