Angry CUPE protests at Raitt’s office

Several Air Canada flight attendants protested outside the Milton constituency office of federal labour minister Lisa Raitt today.

They’re upset over the labour minister’s move to refer their labour dispute to the canada industrial relations board, effectively taking away their right to strike.

CUPE condemns what it’s calling quote “the federal government’s unwarranted attack on collective bargaining rights”, after a planned strike by 68-hundred flight attendants was blocked.

A note was posted on the door, saying Raitt’s office was closed because of threats.

Sid Ryan, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour, joined protestors, saying he believes it’s a disgrace how flight attendants are being treated by Air Canada.

“They’re playing games, absolute games with the legislation that removes your basic human right to be able to strike, to be able to strike a fair bargain with your employer. And at a time when your employer refuses to acknowledge the contributions that each and everyone of you have made over the last seven years to make this a profitable corporation.”

A CUPE spokesperson said the flight attendants will not break the law by going on strike, but says they could stage a work slowdown. However what direction to take hasn’t been decided yet.

Video: Al Sweeney reports: