Message from the President

Protecting the Right to Strike for Seafarers Across Canada

This article is featured in the December 2024 issue of The Canadian Sailor. 

The right to strike is a cornerstone of workers’ rights and a fundamental tool that empowers employees to advocate for fair treatment, safe working conditions, and respect. For members of the SIU Canada, this right holds deep significance rooted in the hard-fought battles of those who came before us. The right to strike ensures that workers’ voices are heard and that the conditions under which we work are not only fair but dignified. Yet, recent events remind us that this essential right cannot be taken for granted.

The Ongoing Relevance of the Right to Strike

For SIU Canada, the right to strike is not just an achievement of the past but an essential safeguard for current and future generations of maritime workers. It empowers our members to stand firm when negotiations break down and fair solutions cannot be reached through dialogue alone. The ability to strike is what prevents employers from imposing unjust conditions without accountability or consequence.

Without the right to strike, workers across Canada’s supply chain—from seafarers on vessels to dockworkers and shore-side employees—would lose one of their most effective means of advocating for fair treatment and workplace safety. The right to strike is an expression of collective solidarity that forces employers to engage in good-faith negotiations and acknowledge the true value of their workforce.

Despite its importance, this right faces persistent threats. On October 11, 2024, the Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) published a letter urging policymakers to limit the right to strike for workers throughout the Canadian supply chain. This push represents a troubling trend where business interests prioritize seamless operations over the legitimate rights and well-being of workers. The CMC’s attempt to position itself as acting in the interest of Canadians and the economy was a thinly veiled effort to protect the profits of shipowners and those benefiting from workers’ labour, while disregarding the very people who keep the industry moving.

SIU Canada did not remain silent. We issued a public statement condemning the CMC’s anti-worker stance, revealing their agenda as an attempt to silence workers and strip them of their hard-won rights in favour of profit-driven motives. Our response highlighted the hypocrisy of calling for restrictions on workers’ rights under the guise of protecting “supply chain integrity.” We reminded the CMC and policymakers that the strength of Canada’s supply chain is not built on profit alone but on the dedication and labour of workers who deserve respect and protection.

“Let’s be clear: the right to strike is not some inconvenience to be swept aside whenever businesses find it profitable to do so,” our statement read. “The leadership of the CMC seems to forget that without these workers—without seafarers, dockworkers, and transport workers—there is no supply chain.”

Why SIU Canada Ended Its Involvement with the CMCF

The CMC’s push to restrict the right to strike compelled SIU Canada to reevaluate our relationship with the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation (CMCF). The CMCF, created to bring together stakeholders in the Canadian marine sector and promote industry careers, had long been supported by SIU Canada, both financially and with our expertise. However, the CMC’s recent description of the CMCF as a “sister organization” raised concerns, especially as this statement came just before the CMC published its anti-worker letter.

When the CMC’s anti-worker agenda became evident, it was crucial for SIU Canada to determine whether our association with the CMCF aligned with our commitment to protecting workers’ rights. We formally requested that the CMCF clarify its position and distance itself from the CMC’s stance. Unfortunately, the CMCF failed to provide a meaningful response, signalling tacit approval of the CMC’s efforts to limit the right to strike.

SIU Canada cannot support an organization that remains silent on such a critical issue. Silence in the face of threats to fundamental rights is complicity. Our decision to end involvement with the CMCF reflects a broader principle: we will not stand by while the rights of workers are eroded. Upholding the rights of our members and the larger labour community requires action, not passivity.

Commitment to Our Members and the Future

SIU Canada has always been committed to advocating for the rights and well-being of seafarers. From our earliest days, we have fought for safer working conditions, fair wages, and recognition of the essential role maritime workers play in supporting Canada’s economy. This commitment remains unwavering as we continue to face challenges in defending labour rights.

Preserving the right to strike is not just about safeguarding the past; it is about ensuring a future where maritime workers continue to have a voice in shaping their work environment. This right is more than a tool for protest—it is an affirmation of dignity and a declaration that workers deserve to be treated with fairness and respect.

SIU Canada will continue, as we have for decades, to implement effective recruitment strategies and initiatives that strengthen the marine sector. However, our efforts will always be grounded in a foundation that prioritizes the respect and rights of the workers who form the backbone of the industry.

Protecting the right to strike is an integral part of a larger mission to uphold equity and justice for all workers. As long as SIU Canada stands, we will remain vigilant and proactive in defending the rights of our members. The right to strike is not just a legal provision—it is the heartbeat of a fair and resilient workforce.