NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh joins Ottawa workers on strike since May

Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh (centre) joins striking workers at Best Theratronics in Ottawa, Ont. Jan. 15, 2025. Workers at the Kanata manufacturing plant have been on strike since May 1, 2024. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)

Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh joined an Ottawa picket line Wednesday to meet with workers who have been on strike for more than eight months.

More than 40 employees at Best Theratronics Ltd. in Kanata went on strike on May 1, 2024, months after their employer presented their union, Unifor Local 1541, with a zero per cent wage offer. Workers were marking one year since the offer was made.

“These workers are fighting for basic fairness, and I support them,” Singh told CTV News Ottawa. “I’m here to show my solidarity with them. The workers are demanding what all workers deserve across the country. Every worker in our country deserves to have wages. They keep up with inflation. They keep up with the cost of living. And that’s what these workers are asking for.”

Unifor says it filed an Unfair Labour Practice complaint at the Canada Industrial Relations Board more than six months ago, but its members continue to wait for the board’s decision.

“There has been no movement from the employer. He has made no real connection to bargain in a year now. So, we are waiting for the board to give us a ruling,” said Unifor National Representative Jan Malek.

Best Theratronics manufactures external beam radiation therapy units, self-contained blood-irradiators and cyclotrons. The medical devices are often used for patients undergoing cancer radiation therapy. The company is listed as a nuclear facility by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

In November, the CNSC found Best Theratronics was no longer in compliance with its Class 1B licence, which allows for the processing and manufacturing of radioactive materials, including uranium, thorium or plutonium.

“We’ve endured all seasons on our picket line and continue to battle the frigid temperatures this winter,” said Unifor Local 1541 President Steve LaBelle in a news release.

“Our members know how this medical equipment can be lifesaving and all we wanted to get back to work and be shown respect with a fair wage. At this point, we don’t even know if we’ll even have a workplace to return to. But we refuse to give up fighting for what we’re worth.”

Singh was joined by Ottawa Centre NDP MPP Joel Harden, who will be running for the federal seat in Ottawa Centre in the next election.

--With files from CTV News Ottawa’s William Eltherington