NDP Joins Striking Workers, Calls for Bank of Canada to Get Back to Negotiating Table

OTTAWA – NDP Leader Avi Lewis was joined by members of the NDP caucus this afternoon on the picket line for Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) Local 71250, security guards for the Bank of Canada who have been on strike for more than three months.

The Bank has been found to have broken anti-scab legislation multiple times by the Industrial Relations Board, using Pinkerton to hire replacement workers.

“It is shocking that just over a year since anti-scab legislation came into effect, the Bank of Canada has hired replacement workers not just once, but twice,” said NDP Leader Avi Lewis. “The Canada Industrial Relations Board order was clear the first time: the use of replacement workers at the Bank of Canada breaks the law and must end.”

Security guards originally went on strike in June to push for better scheduling and overtime provisions, among other demands. Workers at the PSAC offered to resolve the strike by going to independent arbitration but the Bank of Canada refused.

“Bank of Canada Security Officers are proud of our work. We are dedicated frontline first responders who keep the Bank and its personnel safe each and every day. And we deserve respect from our employer for the work we do. We’re still here and we’re still united,” said Alex Silas, PSAC National Executive Vice President and member of Local 71250.

The dispute at the Bank of Canada is part of a broader pattern of disregard for workers’ rights by this federal government, including the introduction of Bill C-39 this week, which gives the Minister of Jobs sweeping new powers to end strikes.

“Enough is enough. The Bank of Canada is one of the most important institutions in this country. It should start acting like one. Our members have every right to stand up for a fair deal, and we’ve offered the Bank a fair way to settle the remaining issues through independent arbitration. The Bank said no. Why? What exactly is the Bank waiting for?” said Ruth Lau-Macdonald, Regional Executive Vice President, National Capital Region.