Canada's Ruling Class Exploits Anti-Scab Legislation to Break Strikes

Canada's ruling class has found a way to exploit the 'anti-scab' legislation passed last year, using it to break strikes by union workers. The law, hailed as an 'historic victory' by trade unions and social-democrats, is being used to strengthen state control over collective bargaining.

The most recent example of this can be seen at the Bank of Canada, where management has been found in violation of the revisions to the Canada Labour Code for using outside contract workers to perform the duties of striking security guards. Despite being ordered to cease deploying strike-breakers from Pinkerton Consulting and Investigation, the bank has continued to use replacement workers.

The use of scab labour is not unique to the Bank of Canada, as management at Canadian Pacific Kansas City rail (CPKC) has been accused of deploying scab contractors during an ongoing strike by 300 signals and communications workers. The union has filed complaints with the CIRB, but so far, no fines have been levied.

The Liberal government's actions in this regard are part of a broader agenda to suppress worker struggles and increase exploitation. As part of its 'update' initiative, the government aims to strengthen authoritarian state powers to quash strikes, while gutting public spending to fund rearmament and war.