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Bank of Canada’s Macklem defends use of replacement workers during strike
Tiff Macklem says the bank followed safety exceptions while the labour board found it breached the Canada Labour Code twice.
On Friday, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem defended the institution's use of replacement workers during a security-officer strike, arguing that Canada Labour Code exceptions permit such measures to prevent threats to life, health, or safety.
Security officers from the Public Service Alliance have been on strike for four weeks after contract talks failed, with 42 members at the Ottawa office and seven at the Montreal office participating.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board ruled last week that the Bank contravened the Canada Labour Code by using contractors from Pinkerton Consulting and Garda Canada Security Corporation during the strike.
Canadian Labour Congress president Bea Bruske criticized the Bank in a letter to officials last week, stating the "repeated disregard for the board's orders is unacceptable" and urging government enforcement.
The dispute centers on 2024 federal legislation banning replacement workers in federally regulated workplaces, which took effect last year; union leaders argue the Bank's actions undermine these new legal protections for collective bargaining.