Description: A Globe and Mail writer wonders what the threat of back-to-work legislation in the Air Canada dispute means for Canadian workers’ right to strike.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: 09/20/2011

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/daily-mix/is-ottawa-putting-the-right-to-strike-at-risk/article2172887/

Related links:

• Labour minister promises back-to-work legislation if attendants strike
• Air Canada tentative agreement includes hybrid pension scheme
• Tentative agreement complicates discount airline plans
• June Air Canada update: government introduces back-to-work legislation
• June update: government introduces back-to-work legislation in Canada Post dispute

Questions for discussion:

In the piece above, Barrie McKenna asks a number of questions, including this one: “What’s the value of belonging to a union if the most basic right of employees – to withdraw service in the event of a contract impasse – no longer exists?”

• Given what you’ve read about this dispute, do you think that’s a fair question?
• What effect do you think the threat of back-to-work legislation had on this dispute?
• What effect do you think the threat might have on employers and workers in other federally regulated industries?
• What arguments can you think of that favour the government spelling out when it will use back-to-work legislation?
• What arguments can you think of that favour the government not spelling out when it will use back-to-work legislation?