On April 24, the Centre for Law in the Contemporary Workplace (CLCW) brought leading academics and practitioners together at Queen’s, where they assessed the implications of the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Saskatchewan Federation of Labour v. Saskatchewan regarding the right to strike.

The experts considered what the ruling means for how governments can regulate the right to strike, for the freedom of association rights of workers not covered by labour laws, for the freedoms of Canadians more generally, and for the role of international law in interpreting Charter rights. “These are key questions for labour, employment and constitutional lawyers,” says Professor Kevin Banks, CLCW Director. “The answers will have important practical impacts for workers, unions, and employers, and indeed for all Canadians who receive public services.” 
 
The workshop was fittingly held in memory of Professor Bernie Adell, who was a renowned labour and employment law scholar. “Bernie’s research made a lasting contribution to understanding the right to strike in Canada,” says Banks.

The Canadian Labour and Employment Law Journal will be publishing the papers of the workshop presenters in a special edition, also in Adell’s honour.