The Harper government has announced that it will introduce legislation tonight, June 14, 2011, which will force striking Air Canada employees back to work. The employees, who are organized with the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW), began a strike today after Air Canada refused to remove major concessionary demands on the workers’ existing pension plan.
“This is an absolutely vile and disgusting attack on workers’ rights,” says Tony Tracy, Atlantic Regional Representative with the Canadian Labour Congress.
Striking Air Canada workers and their supporters picketed in front of the Moncton and Saint John Airports today as well as in several other locations across the country.
CAW Local 2002 represents 3,800 members at Air Canada, who work in customer service and sales in major airports and call centres.