NDP adopts motion calling for a fair deal for striking civilian military workers

OTTAWA — On Wednesday evening, NDP critic for National Defence Lindsay Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe) passed a motion at the parliamentary committee for national defence calling on Defence Minister Bill Blair to ensure that civilian military workers—who have been on strike since January—get fair a process at the bargaining table. The motion urges the minister to instruct the employer to come back to the negotiation table and bargain in good faith.

“These workers are critical to the functioning of our military. They support our troops by providing essential services like cooking, cleaning and repairing the homes they live in during training,” said Mathyssen. “Many of them are the spouses of members of the armed forces who serve our country. It’s shameful the government is acting like they are disposable.”

Instead of negotiating in good faith, the government has allowed the hiring of replacement labour and private security officers while the workers are on strike fighting for fair wages and better working conditions.

“The cost-of-living crisis has impacted working Canadians, with many turning to food banks for the first time,” added Mathyssen. “People have a right to demand fairer wages to keep up with high costs of living. Instead, the Liberals have chosen to fight the workers and their families instead of bargaining in good faith. I’m glad to see this motion passed. The employer must go back to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith with the workers.

New Democrats will keep fighting for workers to get the respect they deserve.”