We, the undersigned student groups, stand in solidarity with the Canadian
Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), whose members have been on strike since
Friday, June 2. We join our voices to CUPW in demanding a fair wage, safe
working conditions, stable employment and decent benefits for all Canadian
postal workers.
Despite the fact that Canada Post has turned a profit for the last 16
years, the best offer the crown corporation has made to CUPW would see new
postal workers' salaries cut by 30 per cent. Canada Post also wants to
reduce new employees' benefits, compromise their job security and
provide them with a smaller pension, while clawing back many of the
provisions included in current contracts which ensure postal workers earn a
living wage and retire with dignity.
We support the postal workers' strike since we recognize that their
struggle is intimately linked to our own fight for quality, accessible
education. Tuition fee increases and the growing influence of the private
sector in public universities are part of the same set of policies that
would erode the working and living conditions of all Canadian postal
workers.
Insofar as public services are an essential part of a healthy democracy,
we applaud CUPW's efforts to improve the postal services offered to
Canadians. We commend CUPW's efforts to regularize temporary employees
and increase the number of full-time workers, as well as its demands for
more door-to-door delivery, which will help reduce the marginalization of
disabled and elderly people.
We urge Canada Post to back down from its position and respect CUPW's
legitimate demands. We also call on student groups across the country to
join us in expressing solidarity with CUPW and undertake concrete actions
to support the postal workers as they strike for dignity and justice.
Concordia Student Union
Dawson Student Union
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Free Education Montreal
Concordia Graduate Students' Association
Students' Society of McGill University
