NDP in solidarity with locked out Teamsters, calls for CPKC and CN to bargain in good faith

OTTAWA—NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh released the following statement in response to CPKC and CN railways’ threats to lock out their employees as early as Aug. 22:

“Canada’s NDP stands in unwavering solidarity with the Teamsters Canada workers who keep Canada’s economy on the rails. Now is the time to improve wages and the working conditions needed to keep workers and communities safe. Any proposal that demands concessions, undermines working conditions or cuts wages are leaps in the wrong direction.

I am deeply concerned that CN and CPKC’s threats to lock out their workers and grind to a halt an important part of Canada’s transportation and supply chain system comes without a solid, good-faith effort at bargaining on the part of the employer. I am also concerned that this Liberal government has a pattern of intervening on behalf of big corporate employers in labour disputes, hurting workers and leaving employers to expect that a favour is on the way.

I’m urging CN and CPKC to get back to the bargaining table and engage in good faith bargaining that focuses on making life better and work safer for workers.”