Teamsters Canada Rail Conference

Across the country, postal workers have been demonstrating, attending rallies, lobbying MPs and walking picket lines expressing their determination to fight against the unjust legislation introduced by the Stephen Harper Conservative government. Everywhere the demand has been the same. Don't Legislate: Negotiate!

For the past eight months, we have been determined to negotiate a collective agreement that meets the needs of postal workers and preserves the public postal service. The back-to-work legislation is designed to weaken our resolve, but we are not letting that happen. With the help of the NDP in Parliament, our community allies, the labour movement and with the assistance of Hassan Yussuf, Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress, we remain as determined as ever to force CPC to negotiate a collective agreement.

The Employer is Hiding

Contrary to media reports, there were no negotiations meetings held yesterday evening. CPC was supposed to arrange a meeting through the mediator. The CUPW negotiating committee and the NEB waited for the meeting, however late last night, the mediator informed us no meeting would occur. Today, we contacted CPC management and arranged for a meeting which took place in the early afternoon. At this meeting we made a proposal in an attempt to break through the deadlock. As of 5:00 p.m., CPC has not yet responded. It appears they are content to hide behind the legislation that they so desperately lobbied for.

The Legislation Must Be Withdrawn

Throughout the day in Parliament, NDP MPs repeatedly attacked the back-to-work legislation for being biased and unnecessary. They pointed out that final offer selection has been criticized by government reports as being the worst type of arbitration process as it reinforces a "winner taker all" approach and does not lend itself to resolving problems. The legislation introduced by the Conservative government includes a mandate for the arbitrator that virtually guarantees he/she will choose the position of the employer. We continue to demand that the legislation be withdrawn so that CPC will have to come out of the shadows and negotiate.

Postal Workers Should Be Congratulated

By standing up against this legislation and demanding the right to free collective bargaining, postal workers are defending the rights of all workers. By rejecting a defined contribution pension plan for the new hires and fighting for a defined benefit pension, we are fighting for the security of the next generation. All postal workers can be proud of themselves and proud of their union. As long as we keep struggling for justice and fighting for our rights we will never be defeated.

In solidarity,

Denis Lemelin
National President and Chief Negotiator

 

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