Canada Industrial Relations Board says Bank of Canada broke federal anti-scab legislation
The Canada Industrial Relations Board has ruled that the Bank of Canada broke federal anti-scab legislation by using replacement workers to keep operating during a strike by security officers represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) Local 71250.
The Board found the bank unlawfully contracted Garda security workers to perform struck work, and ordered the central bank to stop the practice within 48 hours, according to PSAC.
The Board's decision, issued July 7, found that the Bank of Canada had contravened the Canada Labour Code by using contractors and the services of union members during the strike.
PSAC described the decision as one of the first major tests of Canada's new federal anti-scab law and a significant victory for Bank of Canada security workers in Ottawa and Montreal.
"PSAC members worked tirelessly to move the previous Liberal government to bring in comprehensive anti-scab legislation. This victory shows that no employer, even the Prime Minister's former employer, is above the law," said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC national president, in a statement.
The Bank of Canada said in a statement that it respects the Board's decision and will comply "as soon as it can put in place the necessary measures to maintain the required level of security for its people and facilities,” according to CP.
Background on strike
Security workers at the Bank of Canada have been on strike since June 23 after negotiations reached an impasse, across Ottawa and Montreal.
According to the Canadian Press, the strike was launched over wages, benefits and stable scheduling after talks failed to produce a new collective agreement. The dispute reached the Board after the union alleged the Bank had been contacting workers during the strike and planned to contract a third party for security services.
Alex Silas, PSAC's national executive vice-president, said the union is waiting to return to the bargaining table, adding that the striking workers "want to get back to work" and are seeking "some work-life balance and some respect from their employer," and expressed hope the ruling would push the Bank to "withdraw their concessions and settle on a fair deal," per the Canadian Press.
The ruling is being watched as an early test of Canada's federal anti-scab law. Canada passed legislation in 2024 banning federally regulated workplaces from bringing in replacement workers during a legal strike, with the new rules taking effect in 2025.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) at the time said Ottawa should ”seriously consider the implications this bill would have on Canada's economy” because Bill C-58 “tilts Canada's labour laws even more heavily in favour of unions.”
