CUPE’s Defiance of the Return-to-Work Order

 

Public Statement – Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) on CUPE’s Defiance of the CIRB Return-to-Work Order

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) stands in solidarity with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Air Canada flight attendants in their fight for fair treatment and dignity at work.

The recent order from the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) compelling CUPE members to return to work undermines the fundamental right of workers to withdraw their labour in pursuit of just wages and conditions. The decision to continue job action, even in the face of this directive, is a courageous affirmation of the principle that workers—not corporations or government institutions—must have the final say in defending their livelihoods.

TCRC has experienced firsthand the erosion of free collective bargaining in Canada, with governments and regulatory bodies too often intervening on the side of employers. CUPE’s defiance shines a necessary light on this troubling trend. No democratic society should treat the collective voice of its workers as an inconvenience to be legislated away.

We call on the federal government to respect the rights of unionized workers across all sectors, and to end the reliance on back-to-work orders and imposed arbitration that strip unions of their bargaining power. True resolution can only come through meaningful negotiations at the table—not through legal coercion.

The TCRC launched its legal challenge against section 107 of the Canada Labour Code last year, arguing that provisions enabling forced return-to-work orders violate the constitutional freedoms of unionized employees. Significantly, CUPE has requested to intervene and  lend their expertise and advocacy to strengthen the case and underscore its broader impact on all workers subjected to compulsory arbitration and government intervention. We will continue to work with all federally regulated Unions in this fight, an update on our progress is available at https://tcrceast.com/107_Challenges.html

The TCRC extends its full support to CUPE members in their struggle and reaffirms our commitment to standing shoulder to shoulder with all workers facing unjust attacks on their rights.

In solidarity,
Teamsters Canada Rail Conference