Clearly, I could not use these words in reference to you. This is not news for you, because you already know full well that this sort of unfair situation cannot be allowed
to develop so blatantly on the assumption that the workers alone will always be asked to contribute an ever increasing share.
Today, tomorrow and in the coming days, we will be talking about railway workers. We will see that they too, with each successive collective agreement, have had to forgo working conditions they previously enjoyed. This is the truth. They have done so in order to take refuge in what they considered essential in a time of unemployment-a sort of job guarantee.
And now, because the employer is not budging-and we will have to see what the government does in this-we are about to see these workers as well lose some of their working conditions.
As regards this particular bill, I understand and I share the desire for harmonious labour relations. However, when it is unreasonably assumed that the right to strike may be withdrawn without provision being made for sufficient means to settle working conditions, I do not expect grain transportation to be harmonious and secure. This will not be the case. History has shown us that this has not been the case in the past; it will most likely not be the case in the future.
I would add, particularly since the government has not seen fit yet to propose anti-strikebreaking legislation, which would allow re-establishment of a balance of power. If we want to establish labour relations, and in the area of essential services as well, which permit a balance-and not only the appearance of a balance but real healthy labour relations-attention must be paid as well to the balance of power. Many provinces have a provision for this, and it has proved its worth.
As for our case, the work that remains to be done at the federal level to ensure labour relations that permit public enjoyment of the services they are entitled to, but without the cost of the cuts we must face being passed on to the workers concerned, will involve paying greater attention to finding this balance. This is the only way to ensure that the same protection accorded to grain in Canada is accorded to health and life in the provinces.