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2/28/2024
About 239 members of Unifor Local 100 are on strike at the CN-operated Autoport vehicle processing and transshipment hub in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The union members began the strike at midnight, Feb. 27.
On the strike's first day, Autoport sought an injunction that accuses Unifor Local 100 members of blocking access to International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) workers, a charge the union refutes, according to a Unifor press release.
"This injunction is nothing more than a scare tactic by CN to undermine the legal and peaceful picketing by our members,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Our fight is for a fair contract, not to hinder the work of our fellow union members in the ILA. CN's actions are a clear demonstration of corporate bullying, abusing legal avenues to intimidate workers who are merely exercising their rights."
Earlier this month, the union rejected a tentative agreement earlier this month and issued a notice to strike on Feb. 23.
Unifor also said Autoport plans to bring in replacement labor.
"The use of scab labor is proven to lengthen disputes and the company’s actions have only increased the difficulty of obtaining a deal,” said Payne in a press release. “This highlights the need for the federal government to move quickly to pass anti-scab legislation to prevent companies, like Autoport, from trying to bully workers instead of negotiating a fair contract."
In an emailed statement, an Autoport spokesman said the following: "On Tuesday, Autoport enacted its contingency plan at its Eastern Passage facility to protect the continuity of the supply chain. Activities will continue uninterrupted as long as necessary. It is not uncommon for the Autoport to accommodate minor, temporary delays in vessel offloading. Autoport remains committed to achieving a fair and negotiated agreement. Autoport respects the right to safe and peaceful strike action."
Negotiations between the union and the employer began Sept. 28, 2023, and were ongoing until the strike deadline.