The B.C. Federation of Labour and the Teamsters Rail Conference will be organizing a rally today in front of federal government offices in Vancouver in support of CP Rail workers targeted by back-to-work legislation by Stephen Harper's Conservative government.
The labour issue had been noticed in Castlegar Teamsters' local 563 members had set up pickets along tracks near the Celgar mill last week, and along Columbia Avenue near 17th Street.
“Rather than negotiate in good faith, CP Rail dragged out negotiations,” said B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair. “The right to strike is under attack, and employers are relying on the federal government to step in and force CP workers back-to-work,” said Sinclair. This is a shameful assault on free collective bargaining.”