Minister of Labour Jean Boulet, described as the “Grinch” by CUPE

On Christmas Eve, CUPE is giving a festive flavour to its criticism of the Quebec Minister of Labour by calling him the “Grinch”. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) accuses Jean Boulet, in a press release published on December 24, of wanting to “steal the right to strike”.

The union’s publication, supported by a green photo of the minister, was made in response to comments made the day before by Boulet saying that he was considering following the example of the federal government so that the Quebec Minister of Labour could also end a strike or lockout if he deemed it necessary.

The CUPE considers this to be a threat to workers’ right to strike. “Minister Boulet chooses to play the Grinch, attacking hard-won rights,” the statement reads.

The union protests: “By choosing to launch his attack in the middle of the holiday season, the minister seems to hope that his message would go unnoticed. He should be mistaken: Quebec workers are not fooled and will not forget this underhanded attempt to undermine a fundamental right.”

Patrick Gloutney, president of CUPE-Québec, says that “the right to strike is an essential asset, a cornerstone of our democracy. Taking advantage of the holiday season to try to weaken it shows profound contempt for those who fight every day for fair working conditions.”

The Supreme Court of Canada has established that striking is a constitutional right. However, classifying a category of employment as an essential service can circumvent the limits imposed by the Court’s decision.

“Any attempt to restrict this right will only lead to a legal wall. We are ready to defend this fundamental right in court,” Gloutney also warns.

Already on Monday, the president of the Confederation of National Trade Unions (CSN), Caroline Senneville, recalled that the use made by the federal minister of this power is being contested in court. 

She also warned that exercising such a right in Quebec could poison the situation with unions by harming the right to strike and could create more labour conflicts than it resolves.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews