From CTV News:

CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Wed. Jun. 15 2011 2:15 PM ET

Opposition Leader Jack Layton lashed out at the Conservative government's plan to legislate an end to a strike by Air Canada employees on Wednesday, calling it a "draconian measure" that abuses the government's role in labour talks.

Layton said the government's decision to seek a forced end to the strike, which came just hours after some 3,800 call centre staff and check-in agents walked off the job at midnight Tuesday, suggested it had no interest in allowing the union to negotiate for a better deal.

"Here we have, moments after a labour conflict reaches the point of a work stoppage, the government is bringing in back-to-work legislation," Layton told reporters on Wednesday. "This shows the government is not serious about allowing people work things out at the table. They are standing very clearly on the side of the company."

Labour Minister Lisa Raitt has given notice that the federal government would table legislation to end the strike within 48 hours. The call came just hours after some 3,800 call centre staff and check-in agents walked off the job at midnight Tuesday.

The move, she said, would be aimed at ensuring the strike does not harm Canada's economic recovery.

Both the union and Air Canada have said a negotiated settlement would be preferable to being forced back to work, although they remain divided on how to get there.

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Give Air Canada, union time to negotiate: Layton - CTV News