Ottawa's intervention raises concern

Critics question whether move poses threat to workers' bargaining power

- CHRISTOPHER REYNOLDS

Canadian Pacific Kansas City rail workers stand on the picket line at the company's yard in London, Ont., on August 23. On August 22, the Canadian government intervened to end a disruption in fright rail transportation triggered by labour disputes.

Workers’ rights are once again under the microscope after last week’s massive railway work stoppage was abruptly halted when the federal government intervened less than 17 hours after the shutdown began.

Ottawa’s decision to step in, particularly after Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon repeatedly stressed the benefits of deals hashed out at the negotiating table, has critics questioning whether such moves pose a threat to employees’ bargaining power — while defenders emphasize intervention for the sake of businesses and workers alike.

Rail shipments and commuter trains ground to a halt at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 22 after Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. locked out 9,300 rail workers following months of talks that failed to produce new contracts.