Bank of Canada Defends Use of Replacement Workers During Strike

The Bank of Canada has been using replacement workers during a strike by security officers. The central bank was found to have contravened the Canada Labour Code, which bans federally regulated workplaces from bringing in replacement workers during a legal strike.

Tiff Macklem, governor of the Bank of Canada, defended the use of replacement workers, saying that the bank had made representations regarding the minimum necessary arrangements to ensure security during the strike. He claimed that some exceptions allow for the use of replacement workers when necessary to prevent threats to life, health or safety.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada called on the Bank of Canada to stop using replacement workers and return to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair deal. The union stated that 42 members at the bank's Ottawa office and seven members at the Montreal office had been on strike for four weeks after the bank locked out members in Montreal.

The Canadian Labour Congress criticized the Bank of Canada for its repeated disregard for the board's orders, calling it unacceptable. Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, urged the federal government to make it clear that no federally regulated employer is above the law and that compliance with the Canada Labour Code is not optional.