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CUPW Strike 2

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epaulo13
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CUPW targets MP Fletcher Jun 21, 2011 1:01 PM CT

Locked out Canada Post workers were demonstrating at the constituency office of Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia & Headingley MP Steven Fletcher Tuesday after leaving the office of St. Boniface Shelly Glover earlier in the day.

Glover's office has been closed as a result of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) demonstration which began Monday, the MP said. "We understand that there are passionate opinions on both sides, however we kindly ask for respect of a government office," Glover said in a statement.

CUPW says five Canada Post workers stayed in Glover's office until 1 a.m. Tuesday morning when police arrived.

Union spokesman Bob Tyre said the postal workers then peacefully left Glover's office.

Tyre took issue with part of Glover's office message which said the workers were disruptive.

"We were very calm, very polite. We didn't disrupt her operation at all. We didn't talk to anyone going in or trying to prevent them."...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/06/21/mb-postal-cupw-protest-lockout.html

 


epaulo13
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Fighting Together Students Support Postal Workers on Strike

Megan Dolski — June 20, 2011 |

On June 17, postal and other unionized workers were joined by students as they protested for nearly four hours to show their support for CUPW members. The demonstration took place at 225 Bridge St., and was attended by an estimated 70 people.

At Concordia, 11 associations have officially declared their support of CUPW’s actions by taking part in the Students for Posties Campaign. The group has released a solidarity statement, undersigned by a number of associations, including the Concordia Student Union, the Graduate Students’ Association of Concordia and Free Education Montreal.

Students for Posties held its own protest June 21 outside the Pharmaprix across the street from the EV building, which houses a Canada Post location.

In their statement, Students for Posties draws a link between students’ fight for accessible education and the postal workers’ current struggle.

“This whole fight is really about fighting against neo-liberal policy,” explained Rushdia Mehreen of Free Education Montreal. “What students are fighting is this, and this is what happening with the social workers.” She said that the issue is rooted in the current government’s attempt to downsize public services.

http://thelinknewspaper.ca/article/1548

 


epaulo13
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IASWI Condemns back-to-work legislation against Canadian postal workers

IASWI strongly condemns the Canada Post Corporation's decision to impose a nation-wide lockout against about 50,000 workers instead of negotiating a collective agreement with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). We also resolutely denounce the Federal Conservative government's repressive back-to work legislation against postal workers. This legislation is a gross violation of fundamental rights of workers to organize, to bargain collectively and to strike.

CUPW members were holding a series of rotating strikes across Canada to highlight their pressing issues. The corporation ignored postal workers’ major demands while pressuring for a vast array of concessions. Postal workers are struggling to maintain fair and healthy conditions at work, which include the right to decent wages and benefits, retirement security and pensions. These rights are important to all working people.

The Conservative Government of Canada has once again shown that, similar to the anti-worker government of Iran and other repressive capitalist regimes around the world, they have no respect for workers' rights and the freedom of association, expression and collective bargaining. Workers need to collectively fight back against anti-worker regimes in any part of the world. The International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran stands in solidarity with Canadian postal workers and will continue to participate in CUPW's actions and struggles.

An injury to one is an injury to all.

The struggle continues.

International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran (IASWI)-Canada Division

June 21, 2011

http://www.workers-iran.org/News/Oppose%20back%20to%20work%20legislation%20against%20CUPW,%20June%2021,%202011.htm


epaulo13
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Unions unite on march down Jasper Avenue

CHRIS SAVAGE

METRO

Published: June 22, 2011 12:44 a.m.

“Who decides? We’ll decide! Whose work? Our work!” was the cry heard across the downtown core yesterday.

Hundreds of Canada Post workers united with other labour unions to voice their frustration with recent back-to-work legislation put forward by the federal government.

“When the call for support is put out, others answer. An injury to one is an injury to all,” said Guy Smith, president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees. “Free collective bargaining is a basic democratic right.”

The United Nurses Association and the AUPE were among the groups backing the postal workers union. Approximately 1,200 people showed up to march down Jasper Avenue, literally stopping daytime traffic....

http://www.metronews.ca/edmonton/local/article/896929--unions-unite-on-march-down-jasper-avenue


epaulo13
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Canada Post workers block Purolator entrance

Updated: Tue Jun. 21 2011 9:56:48 AM

ctvmontreal.ca

LAVAL, Quebec — Canada Post workers have targeted a Laval office of the Purolator delivery service, blocking doors and slowing down operations Tuesday morning.

Canada Post workers, embroiled in a labour dispute, feel that Purolater – owned by Canada Post - is undermining their cause by taking over much of the deliveries usually performed by postal workers.

The Canada Post workers reported that the occupation of the truck depot significantly hindered Purolator's deliveries. They reported that as of 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, fewer than half of Purolator's fleet had left the centre a time when all trucks would normally be on the road.

Workers returned to their picket lines after all of the trucks left the Purolator distribution centre

http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110621/mtl_canadapost_...

 


epaulo13
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LETTER TO MAGAZINES CANADA We Support Free Collective Bargaining

By Lorraine Endicott, for Our Times

Attention: Mark Jamison
CEO, Magazines Canada

June 21, 2011

Dear Mr. Jamison,


I am writing on behalf of Our Times magazine to express our deep displeasure at your recent news release announcing that Magazines Canada, of which we are a member, supports the federal government's introduction of back-to-work legislation to force postal workers back to work. Collective bargaining is a time-honoured tradition in Canada, and we at Our Times magazine are completely opposed to this intervention by the federal government....

http://ourtimes.ca/Talking/article_141.php


epaulo13
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Postal works stage sit-in at MP Kamp’s office

By Robert Mangelsdorf - Maple Ridge News
Published:
June 21, 2011 2:00 PM
Updated:
June 21, 2011 3:41 PM

Locked-out postal workers, upset with the Conservative government’s plan to send them back to work, occupied MP Randy Kamp ’s Maple Ridge office Tuesday, refusing to leave until he vows to vote against the proposed legislation.

Kamp was not at the office, however, but rather in Ottawa. Still, the protestors hope their message reaches him: Let us bargain with Canada Post.

“We have no say,” said Cindy McDonnell, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 704. “This is draconian legislation ... and it undermines the entire bargaining process.”

More than two dozen postal workers gathered in front of Kamp’s offices Tuesday morning. At around noon, three union members entered Kamp’s office and refused to leave.

Postal workers in North Vancouver, Edmonton and Winnipeg occupied the offices of Conservative MPs on Monday.

“I imagine they will be here until the police come and take them away,” said Ed Nicholles, CUPW’s Pacific Region representative, of the three postal workers occupying Kamp’s office....

http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/mapleridgenews/news/124315038.html


epaulo13
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Rallies and Demonstrations

Date

Time*

City

Location

June 23, 2011

1pm

Edmonton

Mass CUPW Membership Meeting, Shaw Conference Centre

June 23, 2011

12-2pm

Fredericton

Officer's square

June 23, 2011

4pm- 6pm

London

London Mail Processing Plant at 951 Highbury Avenue

June 23, 2011

7pm- 8:30pm

Ottawa

Ottawa Public Library Auditorium 120 Metcalfe St., corner of Laurier and Metcalf

http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/1165/la_id/1.htm


epaulo13
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June 22, 2011  -  19:25

Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Bulletin

Negotiations Bulletin no. 75

Since the introduction of the back-to-work legislation into the House of Commons, there have been a few meetings between CUPW, Labour Minister Lisa Raitt and CPC officials, including CPC President Deepak Chopra. Yesterday, CUPW submitted a very serious proposal designed to break the deadlock. Today we received CPC's reply. Essentially they made no significant moves and are maintaining 10 demands for major rollbacks, including the elimination of sick leave, lower wages and deep cuts in benefits and pensions for new hires. They did nothing to address the problems of postal workers. They did offer to make a move on the issue of percentage of coverage for letter carriers on the condition that we agree to further lower the wages of new hires.

Meet the New Boss

Since the introduction of the legislation, the messages from CPC have been inconsistent and contradictory. In our first discussion with Deepak Chopra and Labour Minister Raitt, we were somewhat optimistic that there might be a serious effort to negotiate. Mr. Chopra made a commitment that the terms of CPC's June 9th offer were still on the table. However, less than two hours later, at a meeting of the finance sub-table, CPC formally reduced their wage proposal for new hires to $18.00 per hour from the $19.00 contained in the June 9th proposal. Since then, they have put back their offer of $19.00. Will it change again?

Same as the Old Boss

From the very beginning of this set of negotiations, CPC has maintained a hard line position designed by former CPC President Moya Greene before she abandoned Canada Post to go to the UK and receive a million dollar salary to privatize the Royal Mail. After she left, Prime Minister Harper appointed Deepak Chopra to perpetuate their agenda of deep cuts to our benefits, pensions and rights.

Since then, CPC has refused to bargain, stopped all mail delivery by locking us out, and done everything possible to provoke back-to-work legislation. 

We Won't Be Fooled

During the next days, we can expect CPC, the Government and the corporate media to mount an attack on postal workers and CUPW. They will say anything to try and convince you and the public that we are to blame for the breakdown of bargaining and the back-to-work legislation. But we won't be fooled. We know we did everything possible to negotiate a collective agreement that meets our needs and preserves public postal services. We entered these negotiations with a practical and modest set of demands, but we were met with a brick wall of corporate greed.

If the government and Mr. Chopra believe they can defeat postal workers, they are seriously mistaken. We will continue to demand justice for ourselves and others. We will continue to exercise all of the rights that we have under our collective agreement. And we will continue to fight for improved postal services to the public. We will continue to struggle for a collective agreement that is freely negotiated and ratified by the membership.

No Justice, No Peace. The Struggle Continues.

In solidarity,

Denis Lemelin
National President and Chief Negotiator

http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/13364/la_id/1.htm


epaulo13
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J C Parrot and Harvie (The Hack) André on CBC's The Current

Tuesday June 21, 2011

CUPW: History & Future

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has walked out, been locked out and has carved out contract gains that others have copied. But with this latest back-to-work legislation from this latest government, some think they've been hollowed out.

http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/episode/2011/06/21/cupw-history-future/

 


mmphosis
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Joined: Apr 28 2009

Quote:

There's only one man standing in the way of the postal service being started up again right now and that's Stephen Harper. He's got the key to the lock.


epaulo13
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mmphosis wrote:

Quote:

There's only one man standing in the way of the postal service being started up again right now and that's Stephen Harper. He's got the key to the lock.

..i thinking you could also argue that man was chopra the president of cpc. but he has his masters as does harper. cupw has been been isolated when the struggle it faces is for the broader union and left movements to take on. 


Freedom 55
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Students and workers are currently occupying John Baird's office in solidarity with postal workers.

Quote:
Protesters say they’ve occupied federal MP John Baird’s constituency office on Carling Avenue in sympathy with locked-out postal workers.

The group say they aren’t members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, who began rotating strikes against Canada Post before management locked the union out, but are sympathetic to their fight.

“The contract Harper wants to force on CUPW will shortchange postal workers even more than Canada Post would have,” says protester James Meades in a written statement announcing the occupation.

“By passing back-to-work legislation, the Harper government is attacking every worker in the country, both private and public, union and non-union.

If you're in Ottawa, they're asking supporters to gather outside Baird's office. The police have just asked the media to leave the building.


epaulo13
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..short video of the edmonton sit-in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiljUh15tAg


epaulo13
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Rallies and Demonstrations

Date

Time*

City

Location

June 24, 2011

17:00 - 18:00

Courtenay, BC

Sid Williams Plaza, B.C.

June 24, 2011

10:30 am

Penticton

From 56 Industrial to MP Dan Albas’s office

June 24, 2011

Noon

Yellowknife

In front of the PO

Click here for the full list of upcoming events...

* All times are local time.

 


epaulo13
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..this is the role the ndp has traditionally played in other legislated postal strikes.

 

Raitt open to Canada Post bill changes By Meagan Fitzpatrick, CBC News Posted: Jun 23, 2011 1:20 PM ET Last Updated: Jun 23, 2011 6:01 PM ET

The Conservative government is open to changing its back-to-work legislation, Labour Minister Lisa Raitt said Thursday as MPs stared down the possibility of an all-night debate on sending Canada Post employees back to work and ending a lockout.

"If they have real amendments, they should present them to us and we'll take a look at them … we're open to take amendments. You have to consider them. That's part of debate," said Raitt.

NDP Leader Jack Layton suggested in question period the government remove a controversial section of the bill that would give the union a lower salary than the one proposed by management in the last round of talks. The NDP plans to move an amendment to the bill Thursday evening to take out the salary portion....

http://www.cbc.ca/m/rich/news/story/2011/06/23/pol-canada-post.html


Unionist
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Joined: Dec 11 2005

Brilliant. What about the forced imposition of a collective agreement? What about the "directives" to the arbitrator (from the CUPW website):

Quote:

The arbitrator must consider the following:

  • conditions of employment consistent with those in comparable postal industries
  • the necessary flexibility to ensure the short term long-term economic viability and competitiveness of CPC
  • maintain the health and safety of workers
  • ensure the sustainability of pension plan
  • take into account the solvency ratio of the pension
  • operate efficiently, improve productivity and meet acceptable levels of service without undue rate increases.

The NDP is picking the most irrelevant and visible issue to focus on - salary. The government will say, "ok, you win", and restore the offer the employer made - and Layton will declare victory - to the applause of those everywhere (including here) who don't give a shit about workers' rights? What a base attack on workers. When the chips are down, workers have no allies in Parliament.


epaulo13
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..in my 14 years in the po, 13 as an activist, the role of the ndp was never satisfactory. it never fit the level of struggle that was in progress. what was needed was them and all those they could organize out on the street and calling for outright defiance of the govt. an unjust law and all that stuff. maybe even civil disobedience by disrupting or blocking parliament.

 


epaulo13
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..this is what i find “disturbing” unionist. :)

 

Ken Georgetti writes Labour Minister Lisa Raitt re: Canada Post Posted: Friday, 17 June 2011

Ken Georgetti writes Labour Minister Lisa Raitt protesting the Minister's interference in the collective bargaining process at Canada Post.

The Honourable Lisa Raitt, MP
Minister of Labour
House of Commons

Dear Minister:

On behalf of the over three million members of the Canadian Labour Congress, I am writing to protest your intention to introduce back to work legislation in the dispute between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), where the Corporation has locked out its workers.

Minister, the proper role for the government in this instance is to tell its own Crown Corporation to get back to the bargaining table and negotiate a collective agreement. It is not to aid the Corporation to achieve, through back to work legislation, its collective bargaining objectives. There is no incentive here Minister, with your actions, for the employer to return to the bargaining table and negotiate.

Your role, as Minister, is to foster the process of collective bargaining and not get directly involved in any dispute. For collective bargaining to work, the parties themselves must willingly negotiate. Your actions have removed the employer's obligation to negotiate which will only serve to further poison already acrimonious labour relations.

Sincerely,

Kenneth V. Georgetti
President

 


ghoris
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Joined: May 29 2003
Wish more Canadians would actually watch the debate in the House on the hoist motion. This is the first 'real' debate I can recall seeing in many, many years. Lots of myths about unions and 'overpaid postal workers' being very effectively busted by NDP MPs. Lots of good debate about workers' rights, the labour movement, poverty and standards of living. The Tories have had a few reasonable speakers, but most are just calling the NDP "socialist" and engaging in the usual anti-union rhetoric. The Liberals, true to form, are spending all their time attacking the NDP rather than the Tories. Don Davies, Jinny Sims and Randall Garrison all gave great speeches (I guess they put all the BC MPs on the 'late shift' since they're on "BC time" anyways!) David Christopherson is speaking right now and got real fired up. Jinny Sims got a particularly good line in about how governments pay lip service to the importance of family, but they don't want to ensure that people make a decent wage so they can actually spend time raising their families, rather than working overtime or two jobs to make ends meet. Very, very proud of the NDP MPs who have spoken in this debate. It's too bad that the media will not cover any of this.

Polunatic2
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Joined: Mar 12 2006

The debate continues. 

LIVE: MPs in marathon debate on Canada Post bill

Good to see a real official opposition in Ottawa. Hat's off to the NDP. 

 


epaulo13
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Postal workers bring picket line to federal buildings
Published on June 24, 2011 Staff ~ The Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — Work came to a standstill at several federal government departments in Sydney this morning as a result of information picket lines set up by locked out postal workers.

Members of Breton Local 117 of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers set up what they described as "peaceful information pickets" outside the Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Canada Revenue Agency, and Service Canada offices located on Dorchester Street, around 6 a.m. Friday morning. As workers arrived for work at those departments, they gathered in groups on the opposite side of the street waiting for word on what was expected of them.

Initially, many employees were told to come back at 10 a.m.

At 10 a.m., a discussion took place between several managers of the impacted federal government departments, and Gordon MacDonald, president of Breton Local 117. Managers asked MacDonald if workers’ safety could be guaranteed if they crossed the line to go into work.

“I’m telling you at this stage with the legislation that’s in front of us, I can’t openly guarantee controlling my members,” said MacDonald. “I certainly cannot guarantee their safety.”

At that point, the majority of the workers were told by their managers to report back at 1 p.m.

At 11 a.m., the postal workers ended their information picket outside the federal buildings.

“All the workers have been sent home until 1 p.m. and I think the message is loud and clear,” said MacDonald. “We’re very thankful to the workers and to the other members in the other unions.”

Canada Post locked out workers and suspended urban mail delivery across the country Wednesday after rotating strikes by the 48,000-member union began June 3.

Federal MPs were on the job through the night Thursday and into today debating legislation that would send Canada’s locked-out mail workers back on their routes.

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2011-06-24/article-2610532/Postal-workers-bring-picket-line-to-federal-buildings/1

epaulo13
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June 24, 2011  -  16:35

Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Bulletin

Negotiations Bulletin no. 76

CUPW continues to receive massive support in our struggle for a collective agreement. In the House of Commons, opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) have held the government to account with eloquent speeches about our issues and the importance of free collective bargaining. The New Democratic Party has repeatedly demanded that the legislation be withdrawn and that Canada Post end the national lockout. Throughout the night, opposition MPs have raised the real issues in the dispute and exposed the constant distortions and falsehoods spread by Canada Post and the government. Never in history have postal workers, or the labour movement, received such strong and dedicated support in Parliament.

Everywhere, postal workers have been supported by the labour movement and our allies. At rallies, demonstrations and occupation of Tory constituency offices we have been joined by women’s organizations, students, anti-poverty activists, other unions, seniors, and local community activists. At workplaces across the country rural and suburban mail carriers have supported urban postal workers on picket lines.

Postal workers will never forget this unprecedented solidarity.

CPC admits lockout costs more than rotating strikes

On the evening of June 14th, Canada Post management initiated a national lockout which shut down postal service to the public. Earlier that day, they claimed to have experienced losses of $70 million due to our limited one-day rotating strikes. Hours later, when announcing the lockout, they claimed the losses were almost $100 million. Now, in their letter to employees released on June 23rd, they state that the losses have increased to “hundreds of millions” since their lockout began.

The entire responsibility for the failure of negotiations lies with CPC Chief Operating Officer Jacques Côté and CPC President and CEO Deepak Chopra. It was their decision to demand a multitude of rollbacks that they knew no union could agree to. It was their decision not to address any of the health and safety issues raised by the union. And it was their decision to initiate a full-scale national lockout which denied postal service to the public and has caused financial losses to the Corporation. It is time Jacques Côté and
Deepak Chopra accept responsibility for their actions and their failed strategy.

The Struggle Continues

From the very beginning of this round of negotiations, we have done everything possible to obtain a collective agreement that meets the needs of postal workers, and preserves postal service. At every step of the way, CPC made unreasonable demands and attacked and distorted the positions of the union. Whatever happens in Parliament, we will continue our struggle because we know that only a negotiated contract, ratified by a membership vote, will bring stability, justice and peace to the post office.

In solidarity,

Denis Lemelin
National President and Chief Negotiator

http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm?ci_id=13405&la_id=1


epaulo13
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June 25, 2011  -  15:40

Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Letter

By Email

Mr. Jack Layton
Leader of the Official Opposition
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6

Mr. Layton:

Subject: Bill C-6

On behalf of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, I wish to congratulate you, your NDP colleagues, and the other opposition members of Parliament who have continued to oppose Bill C-6.

Your efforts were successful in provoking a resumption of negotiations between CUPW and the Canada Post Corporation. During the evening of June 24, we held extensive discussions involving representatives of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and Labour Minister Lisa Raitt. This morning, June 25, we met twice with CPC in direct negotiations.

Despite your efforts and the support and solidarity activities of tens of thousands of people across the country, the negotiations were unsuccessful.

CPC once again refused to amend their position. They remain as intransigent as they have been since the introduction of the back-to-work legislation by the Harper government.

Given these circumstances, we believe it would be appropriate for you to introduce amendments which would at least remove the most offensive aspects of this legislation.

Once again, we offer you and your colleagues our deepest thanks for your efforts to oppose this unjust law. We especially appreciate the fact that you were prepared to continue the debate during the national holiday of Quebec.

Your actions, which were successful in provoking a resumption of negotiations, demonstrate the importance of a strong progressive opposition. We remain committed to continue to work with you and the members of your caucus in the broader struggle for decent jobs for ourselves and for future generations of workers.

Denis Lemelin
Président national / National President

http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm?ci_id=13408&la_id=1


epaulo13
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June 25, 2011  -  21:00

Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Bulletin

For Immediate Release

OTTAWA – The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the Harper government has sent a message to all workers with its unjust and punitive bill legislating postal workers back to work.

“The government is clearly willing to side with employers to grind down wages and working conditions,” said CUPW National President Denis Lemelin. “Its decision to use back-to-work legislation in the Canada Post and Air Canada disputes was not neutral. The Conservatives have shown themselves to be very anti-worker after only two months of majority government.”

Lemelin said the government’s assertion that its legislation was necessary to protect the economy is illogical. He said postal workers had offered to return to work. “The government has attacked our right to freely negotiate the conditions we work under,” said Lemelin. “It appears that only markets and employers will have freedoms in this country.”

“The union’s struggle for safe work, decent jobs and pensions will continue in spite of this unjust and punitive bill. Fortunately, the government can’t legislate away our determination to fight for our rights,” said Lemelin.

Lemelin added that postal workers are very grateful for the support they received from people all across the country and opposition Members of Parliament, especially members of the New Democratic Party (NDP) who eloquently defended free collective bargaining for 58 hours straight. He said the NDP’s filibuster was successful in provoking a resumption of negotiations between CUPW and Canada Post over the last few days, but that the negotiations had ultimately failed.

“Canada Post was uncompromising from the moment Harper’s government introduced back-to-work legislation,” said Lemelin.

http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/13413/la_id/1.htm


epaulo13
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June 26, 2011  -  11:00

Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Bulletin

Negotiations Bulletin no. 77

With the passage of Bill C-6, the Harper government has declared war on postal workers and all working people. The anti-worker bias of this government was demonstrated clearly yesterday when the Conservative government of Stephen Harper vetoed every attempt by the opposition parties to amend the legislation. The government even said no to proposals that would give the arbitrator the ability to mediate between the parties. As expected, the government imposed a wage increase that is less than the last offer presented by Canada Post management.

NEB Unanimously Decides To Return To Work

The National Executive Board has unanimously decided that CUPW will return to work in accordance with the terms of the legislation. The legislation provides for enormous financial penalties for individuals and union representatives in the case of defiance. We believe that this government would use any excuse to destroy the union should we defy the legislation, and we will not give them any opportunity to do so. CUPW will be contacting Canada Post to discuss a return-to-work procedure, and we will notify you concerning the procedure for returning to work.

Postal Workers Can Be Very Proud

All CUPW members can go back to work with our heads held high. Throughout this struggle, we showed unprecedented strength, solidarity, determination and courage.

Just as we were united on the picket lines, we need to be united and strong when we are back in the workplace. We need to send a strong message to Canada Post that the lockout was wrong, and that their reliance on legislation is shameful. We need to support our shop stewards and local union representatives who will be on the front line in our struggles with management.

Our Struggle Continues

We are returning to work, but we are not defeated. CUPW has been legislated back to work in the past and that has not stopped us from continuing our struggle for justice and dignity. The government cannot legislate away our solidarity and determination. We will continue to work with all of the groups and organizations that have supported us, including labour unions, women's groups, students, pensioners and our community and political allies to fight for decent jobs and pensions for all working people.

In solidarity,

Denis Lemelin
National President and Chief Negotiator

http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/13415/la_id/1.htm


notaradical
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Joined: May 17 2011

Can anyone entertain a question from someone who is not very familiar with labour relations? I sometimes conduct imaginary debates in my head, trying to embody both sides of a progressive vs. neoliberal argument. In the case of the CPC Lockout, this manifested as follows:

 

PR: The Government of Canada should not impinge on collective bargaining rights by drafting back-to-work legislation.

NL: What should they do then to ensure Canadians are getting their mail?

PR: Canada Post is a crown corporation and the government has the jurisdictionary power to end the lockout.

NL: Well, do you want the government to interfere or don't you? Pick one.

 

As a progressive, how would you address the NL's last question? I feel like there's a very simple answer to that but I can't think of it. I also want to note that any sensible person can see that the CPC and government actions fly in the face of workers' rights, but Neoliberals tend to obfuscate the argument, which can totally throw one off balance and derail the thrust of the discussion.


Northern Shoveler
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Joined: Feb 17 2011

Simple, leave it to the parties to bargain in good faith.  The only proper role is for the CLRB to tell CPC to bargain like they mean it.  No intervention is always the best policy.  The only time the government intervenes in on the side of management never to impose a worker friendly agreement.

Free collective bargaining should be a Charter right not a song and dance done until the government brings down the hammer.  Unfortunately a careful reading of the HEU decision leads to the conclusion that all that is Charter protected is the song and dance.

As for convincing the average blockhead try asking whether they think the government should be involved in the negotiations between their local pub and the grocery retailers they buy food from. A collective agreement is just a contract between two parties.  Why should the government be involved except to ensure no party is trying to perpetrate a fraud.  Should the government intervene to ensure the grocer keeps the price of food low so you can get cheap food while you watch the hockey game?  

Why should the government only be involved in contract talks when unions are one of the parties?


peterjcassidy
Offline
Joined: Apr 27 2001

While there is an arms length relationship between the government and a crown corporation such as Canada Post, that arm has a fist on it. There are a number of ways the government could act to ensure free collective bargaining and the mail moves. PM Harper could have a quiet little chat with the president of Canada Post about job performance. or  Lisa Rait could say to management and the union something like:

 

"This government supports free collective bargaining and the mail moving.  Rotating strikes may be a bit of a pain but we can live with them for a while, not too long and only so long as they are not excessively disruptive, We can not live with a lock-out that shuts down the mail across the country indefinitely. So here's the deal. Lift the lock-out, get back to the bargaining table and settle this. If not, we may have to intervene and, Canada Post,  you may not like how we intervene. That's it. Now go and settle this."

Its being a competent manager in a free collective bargaining society.


Catchfire
Online
Joined: Apr 16 2003

notaradical wrote:
PR: The Government of Canada should not impinge on collective bargaining rights by drafting back-to-work legislation.

NL: What should they do then to ensure Canadians are getting their mail?

It is not the Government's job to make sure Canadians are getting their mail. That's why they created Canada Post: it is, in fact, their job. This NL query also begs the question that postal workers are not invested or interested in Canadians getting their mail, which, of course, they are. NS and peter are quite right: if the Government of Canada wants the mail to be delivered, trust the crown corporation it created and its employers to come to a fair agreement. Ensure that both parties operate in good faith and don't, as is the case with the CUPW strike, feign interest in mail when your real interest is privatizing the industry and punishing unions for exercizing their democratic right of collective action.

 


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