Jim Stanford - Raitt's Three Principles of Labour Relations

Jim Stanford of the CAW published a very interesting column this week in the Globe - Raitt's Three Principles for Labour Relations only run one way.  In short he argues that the the Minister's actions in recent labour disputes illustrate three principles that are defining the government's approach to industrial action.

1) Even at private non-monopoly companies the government can ban strikes (CAW / Air Canada)
2) Government can explicitly dictate wage settlements (CUPW / Canada Post)
3) The Government has the explicit right to ban all work stoppages (CUPE / Air Canada)

Its a great summary of the Conservative Government's approach to work stopages and industrial action even though its a bit scary.