Opinion piece from the NSFL on Employer Lockouts and Government Intervention

We have deep concerns regarding the actions of large corporations, particularly the two railway companies that have locked out their workers, only to subsequently seek government intervention to resolve the very crisis they have instigated.

Collective bargaining is not merely a formality; it is a fundamental right enshrined in law, designed to facilitate negotiations between unions and employers without external interference. When employers refuse to negotiate in good faith and opt instead to shut their doors and, as in this case, lock out their workers, they should not be permitted to manipulate government resources to resolve a situation of their own making.

This behavior is not just, in our opinion, a blatant violation of workers’ rights; it fundamentally undermines the principle of collective bargaining itself. The ability for employers to leverage government intervention often skews the playing field in favour of employer interests, leaving workers vulnerable and disenfranchised. Workers deserve an equitable platform to negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions. When powerful corporations sideline unions and exert influence to prompt government intervention, they strip workers of their power, thereby corrupting the entire system.

Clearly the rules must change to ensure that employers are held accountable for negotiating in good faith and that government neutrality is upheld. It is high time for the government to cease its preferential treatment of employers and to start honoring the rights of union members. This current dispute underscores the urgent necessity to safeguard the integrity of collective bargaining and to prevent workers from being overshadowed by the interests of powerful corporations.  We can no longer allow governments to hand businesses preferential treatment, especially when they are the ones who have created the problem through lockouts.

To put this into perspective, in 2023, CN reported profits of approximately $5.6 billion, while CPKC Rail recorded profits of around $3.9 billion. These large corporations undoubtedly have the financial capacity to treat their workers with the dignity and respect they rightfully deserve. It is evident that while their CEOs reap substantial rewards, the same cannot be said for the workers who are facing cuts and slashes to their livelihoods. 

The time for change is now. Workers’ rights can no longer be compromised in favour of corporate gain. We must act and ensure a fair and just system for workers.