Lockout of Aluminum Workers in Becancour,
Quebec
United Steelworkers Files Complaint with International Labour Organization Against Quebec Government
United Steelworkers announce the filing of a complaint with the
International Labour Organization against the Quebec government at
press conference, June 10, 2019.
The Alcoa/Rio Tinto cartel has now locked out the ABI
workers for 17 months with the active collusion of the Quebec
government. At a press conference on June 10, the United Steelworkers
announced the filing of a complaint with the International Labour
Organization (ILO) against the Quebec government for its role in
prolonging the
lockout and denying the right of ABI workers, members of USW Local
9700, to negotiate collectively the terms of their employment. The
complaint was filed with the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association.
The USW alleges that through his public statements from
April to early June, Quebec Premier Francois Legault used the power of
his office to give considerable advantage to the owners' cartel over
the workers. Legault has openly sided with the Alcoa cartel against the
right of workers to negotiate a new collective agreement. The USW
alleges the Premier has made false statements about the nature of the
dispute, blames the workers for the lockout, and suggests USW Local
9700 with what he calls "unreasonable demands" may force the Alcoa
global cartel to close the smelter for good.
The USW says the Premier's intervention on the side of
the global cartel violates the government's obligations related to the
ABI workers' right to freedom of association and the recognition of
their right to collective bargaining. With its evidence of the
government's words and actions, the union presented its complaint to
the ILO. The USW
says the Government of Quebec is in violation of the ILO convention and
declarations that recognize freedom of association, basic labour rights
and the principles that must guide multinational enterprises,
governments and workers in the countries where these companies operate.
 The USW is asking the
Committee on Freedom of Association and the ILO's Governing Body to
declare that the Government of Quebec, through the Premier's public
statements, has violated the convention and declarations. The USW is
asking that the ILO demand the government withdraw its declarations
against the workers and to respect
freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. The
union also requests that the ILO tell the Quebec government to refrain
from any intervention that could hinder the legitimate activities in
defence of USW Local 9700's interests. The USW demands that the
government allow the union to freely and with equal opportunity
advocate
for the working conditions of unionized ABI workers without pressure or
action to discredit them.
The ILO, founded in 1919, is a tripartite agency of the
United Nations that brings together representatives of governments,
employers and workers from 187 countries. Its mandate is to set
international standards, develop policies, and devise programs
promoting decent work for all workers around the world. The Committee
on Freedom of
Association, established in 1951, has the mandate to examine complaints
about violations of freedom of association. The committee is itself a
tripartite body composed of a chairperson and three representatives
each from governments, employers and workers. The committee has the
power to make recommendations. Its decisions are not binding on
member states.
This article was published in
Number 23 - June 20, 2019
Article Link:
Lockout of Aluminum Workers in Becancour,
Quebec: United Steelworkers Files Complaint with International Labour Organization Against Quebec Government
Website: www.cpcml.ca
Email: editor@cpcml.ca
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