IRC) invoked Article 107 to avoid a potential disruption in the supply chain, a decision that has outraged the longshoremen and their unions.
The use of Article 107 is considered by the unions as an attack on their right to strike and negotiate fair working conditions. The longshoremen argue that this decision sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the collective bargaining process, as it allows the government to intervene in labour disputes without giving workers the opportunity to exercise their right to strike.
The unions are calling for the immediate repeal of Article 107 and are demanding a meeting with the federal government to discuss the implications of its use in the railway sector. They are also seeking assurances that Article 107 will not be used to interfere in future labour disputes.
The longshoremen’s unions are joined by other labour organizations and civil society groups in their condemnation of the use of Article 107. They argue that it goes against the principles of fair labour practices and undermines the fundamental rights of workers.
The joint press conference in Montreal has garnered widespread attention and support from across the country. It has brought together various sectors of the maritime industry in a show of solidarity with the longshoremen and their unions.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the federal government will respond to the growing pressure from the unions and their supporters. The use of Article 107 has sparked a nationwide debate on the rights of workers and the role of the government in labour disputes, and it is clear that this issue will remain at the forefront of the maritime industry for the foreseeable future.
