Dear Member of Parliament:
On March 21, you have the chance to make a difference in the lives of working people, to show them who's on their side. On March 21, you will vote on Bill C-257, an Act respecting replacement workers. We urge you to vote yes to Bill C-257. It is an issue of fundamental respect for working people.
We know that the Canada Labour Code already contains provisions protecting essential services during labour disputes. In fact, in five rulings since 1999, the Canada Industrial Relations Board has ruled that section 87.4(1) of the Canada Labour Code protects essential services. The Canada Industrial Relations Board has said that the existing law gives companies and unions the opportunity to come to binding agreement on how to maintain essential services during a strike or lockout. And when companies and unions can't agree, the Canada Industrial Relations Board will decide for them. Nothing in Bill C-257 changes the existing law.
In fact, unions fundamentally understand their responsibilities to protect Canadians' health and safety and, in the federal sector, have consistently come to agreement with companies on the provision of essential services during a legal strike. We know that when strikebreakers are used during strikes and lockouts, labour disputes last longer and are nastier. We have seen communities divided and families ruined when the small minority of companies bring in replacement workers to break a legal strike. And we have seen how morale and productivity are damaged for years to come, each time a company uses strikebreakers.
That is why it is time to bring labour legislation into the 21st century. British Columbia and Québec have had similar legislation for years, without any impact on their economies. We know you have been hearing from lobbyists telling you the sky will fall and the scales will be tipped in favour of unions if this bill passes. Nothing can be further from the truth.
We also know you have been hearing from workers who have shared with you their stories of being on strike for dignity and fairness, only to watch their company try to break them by using strikebreakers. It's time for balance and fairness. It's time to show working people who's on their side. We urge you to vote yes to C-257.
Sincerely,