OTTAWA, ON — On December 19th, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), found the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) guilty of raiding the bargaining rights of AQTIS Local 514 of the IATSE.
Raiding is when one union attempts to organize workers who are already part of another union, rather than unionizing new non-union groups. As a practice, raiding is harmful because it wastes resources, divides workers, weakens solidarity, and only benefits the greedy corporations by creating conflict instead of unity between two unions that should be allies. It is for this reason union federations such as the CLC and the AFL-CIO prohibit affiliated unions from engaging in this activity.
After determining that raiding proceedings were initiated by the DGC in the province of Quebec, the CLC confirmed that first-level sanctions, as provided for under the CLC constitution, will be imposed effective January 1.
As a result, the DGC will lose the right of its representatives to vote on the Canadian Council, the right to participate in Congress committees, access to all Congress services, and the ability to access justification and transfer procedures.
In accordance with the CLC constitution, a second level of sanctions will be applied if the DGC fails to cease its raiding activities within three months. If the DGC continues, it will face expulsion from the House of Labour and be vulnerable to any union seeking to attack its bargaining rights anywhere in the country.
“The International will continue to fully support our members and officers of Local 514 against this unprovoked and reckless attack by the DGC” said International President Mathew D. Loeb.
”This situation, which has caused unnecessary stress and uncertainty for our members is regretful and will only cause labour instability in these turbulent times” said Bernard Larivière, President of AQTIS Local 514 of the IATSE.
According to John Lewis, International Vice President and Director for Canadian Affairs, “The IATSE remains firmly committed to the principles of solidarity, mutual respect, and respect for jurisdiction within the labour movement. We believe these principles are essential to maintaining strong and unified representation for all workers.