Statement made on 10 December 2009 by Senator Francis Fox (retired)
Hon. Francis Fox:
Honourable senators, following the lead of Senator Carstairs, Senator Hervieux-Payette and, more recently, Senator Lapointe, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate and concerns the strike that has now gone on for 81 days at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Canadian War Museum.
As the leader knows, the holidays are quickly approaching. Parliament will soon adjourn and the sword of Damocles will no longer be encouraging the parties to settle the dispute. The main victims will be the museum employees and the Canadian public, which is entitled to enjoy all the services provided by these museums.
Museums management is still refusing to go to arbitration, although the union and the Minister of Labour, Rona Ambrose, are ready to proceed.
Given the current impasse and the fact that the parties are no longer at the bargaining table, will the Minster of Labour follow the recommendation of the Canadian Labour Congress, which has suggested bringing the parties together in order to settle the dispute?
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