Pickets vow they will ignore order to stop
Jamie Hall, The Edmonton Journal
Published: Friday, September 14
EDMONTON - Undaunted by the prospect of arrest and fines, scores of protesters vowed Thursday to continue a crusade that has disrupted work at more than a dozen construction sites and cost oilsands contractors millions of dollars.
Union members who again formed "information lines" early Thursday were served with copies of a cease-and-desist order issued on Wednesday night, which bars picketing at any construction or maintenance site.
The order carries the force of law and police could be called out to enforce it, said Neil Tidsbury, president of Construction Labour Relations Alberta, which represents the companies.
"This (global cease-and-desist) order is significant," said Tidsbury, "because it's a product of contractors and unions collectively getting together to find a more effective way to respond to this lawlessness. We all recognize we're in a dire situation and recognize extra measures are needed."
Work disruptions were reported again at job sites in and around Edmonton, and at Fort McMurray, where another blockade interrupted work at some oilsands projects for several hours.
Union officials and contractors, who insist the trouble is being perpetuated by a small group of workers, spent Thursday handing out copies of the court order and telling members the consequences of ignoring it.
"A picket isn't just someone with a sign in their hands," said Barry Salmon, spokesman for the IBEW. "So calling it an 'information line' doesn't mean it isn't illegal; anyone trying to effect or interfere with a job site leaves themselves open to fines."
Earlier Thursday, a group of protesters converged on the courthouse in Edmonton, hoping to challenge the legality of the court order, but were turned away.
They then marched to the Alberta Labour Relations Board office, where speakers called for continued action to back their demands for changes to the province's labour laws. One speaker called for members to return to work, but was booed off the stage.
Under current legislation, if 19 of the 25 bargaining groups in the building trades ratify collective agreements, the remaining six are prohibited from striking and are forced into arbitration.
Electricians became the 19th group to reach a deal earlier this week, ratifying a new contract by a narrow margin.
A ratification tribunal was appointed by the government Thursday to deal with issues particular to the six remaining groups.
Salmon, meanwhile, said he hopes the cease-and-desist order -- and the coming weekend -- will help "cool" labour unrest, as does Tidsbury.
"These people have made their point," said Tidsbury, "and carrying on this action won't make that point any further."
© The Edmonton Journal 2007
