Bank of Canada continues paying replacement security workers despite labour board orders
The Crown corporation kept using non-union guards after two rulings banned the practice, sparking a fourth complaint from the union representing 50 striking officers.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
The Bank of Canada kept paying replacement security workers even after a labour board ordered it to stop, according to a fourth complaint filed by the union representing striking security guards.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board ruled on July 7 that the Bank of Canada broke federal anti-scab legislation by using replacement workers from private security firms to keep operating during a strike by security officers represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). The board ordered the bank to stop.
On July 22, the board found the bank was still using replacement workers, this time from a different private security firm. PSAC claims that unionized workers who crossed the picket line continued receiving pay until at least July 24 despite the second decision.
"We don't have a total dollar value for those payments," Ruth Lau MacDonald, PSAC regional executive vice-president for the National Capital Region, said in a statement. "But the bigger issue for us is the preferential treatment: employees who crossed the picket line continued receiving compensation while members exercising their legal right to strike went without their regular pay and benefits."
Almost 50 security guards in Ottawa and Montreal have been on strike since June 23, forcing Bank of Canada employees to work from home. The bank says negotiations remain ongoing through a mediator, with two issues blocking a deal: whether security guards can be reassigned to cover sick colleagues without triggering overtime, and whether Montreal security staff should receive higher compensation.
The bank is cutting its budget by 15 per cent by the end of 2028 and says it needs to manage overtime costs. PSAC argues that the bank's proposal would undermine security and burn out staff by lowering minimum staffing requirements.
The bank said it will "respond to this complaint through the CIRB, which is the appropriate channel" and called the new complaint "another distraction that is taking the parties away from the bargaining table."
What is the total dollar amount the bank paid to replacement workers and crossed picket-line employees between July 7 and July 24?
Will the labour board impose penalties on the bank for violating its orders, and if so, what form will they take?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When did the Canada Industrial Relations Board first rule against the Bank of Canada's use of replacement workers?
The Canada Industrial Relations Board ruled on July 7, 2026 that the Bank of Canada broke federal anti-scab legislation by using replacement workers from private security firms during the strike.
How many security guards are on strike at the Bank of Canada?
Almost 50 security guards in Ottawa and Montreal have been on strike since June 23, 2026.
What are the two issues blocking a deal between the Bank of Canada and the union?
The two issues are whether security guards can be reassigned to cover sick colleagues without triggering overtime, and whether Montreal security staff should receive higher compensation.
