Ottawa will not interfere with workers’ right to strike, Hajdu says

Ottawa will not interfere with workers’ right to strike, Hajdu says CRAIG LORD OTTAWA THE CANADIAN PRESS PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO Open this photo in gallery: Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu in Ottawa on Sept. 2. A government review found employers and unions sharply divided on whether Ottawa should intervene in labour disputes. JUSTIN TANG/THE CANADIAN PRESS COMMENTS SHARE SAVE FOR LATER Listen to this article Learn more about audio Log in or create a free account to listen to this article. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu says the federal government will not interfere with workers’ right to strike as Ottawa considers legal changes to improve labour relations. Ms. Hajdu’s department held months of consultations with unions, employers and other stakeholders over the spring and summer about the state of the Canada Labour Code. Feedback from those sessions is meant to inform future legislation. A report summarizing what the government heard during that review found that unions and employers were split over the degree of power Ottawa should have to intervene in disputes. Most employers argued the government should have the ability to step in to quash a labour action when Canada’s national interests are at risk. Unions were staunchly opposed to any measure that could threaten their right to strike. Fifteen months into his tenure as Prime Minister, Carney is drawing the ire of union heads Ms. Hajdu was asked Friday in Ottawa whether she would respect unions’ concerns. She said the government heard in the review that Canada needs a stronger labour regime to foster better relationships between workers and employers. The focus of the review was to find new supports for both parties, with an eye to leveraging the federal mediation service to maintain industrial peace. “I can stand here and say that we will never interfere with a worker’s right to bargain or to strike, but we do all agree that there are circumstances where better tools are needed,” Ms. Hajdu said. The minister would not say whether legislation to change the Canada Labour Code will come in the fall session of Parliament, which is set to begin Monday. Canadian Labour Congress president Bea Bruske said in a media statement that the government’s labour review report did reflect what unions told Ottawa about its priorities. “Canada needs stronger labour laws that protect the right to strike, support free collective bargaining and hold employers accountable when they break the rules,” Ms.…