As you are aware, the postal workers have been locked out by their employer. The federal back-to-work legislation proposed to end the labour dispute is unprecedented! First, it imposes a settlement. Second, the settlement is less than that offered by their employer, a federal crown corporation.

This back-to-work legislation threatens collective bargaining and workers’ rights.

Please contact your MP if you object.

Arthur Hilliker
President YUFA

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OCUFA:

TORONTO – Ontario’s university professors and academic librarians are deeply disturbed by the Harper Government’s intrusion in the Canada Post lockout, and warn that the proposed legislation has harmful implications for collective bargaining across the country. The legislation, tabled in the House of Commons earlier this week, imposes on the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) a settlement significantly lower than the last offer by the employer, Canada Post.

“Free and open collective bargaining is a cherished Canadian right,” said Mark Langer, President of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA). “This legislation signals the Harper Government’s intent to interfere in local negotiations, something that should worry all Canadians as well as employees and employers. When the government is allowed to take these rights away, we all suffer.”

As well as being unfair to CUPW members, the legislation also contradicts key elements of the 2007 BC Health Services Supreme Court decision. This landmark ruling created a constitutional obligation for governments to not “substantially interfere” in collective bargaining on workplace issues. This is also not the first time the Harper Government has gone after collective bargaining rights, as they also proposed back-to-work legislation for striking Air Canada employees.

“The Harper Government’s legislation is a slap in the face for worker’s rights and the rule of law. Imposing a lower-than-final-offer settlement goes far beyond what the Supreme Court of Canada has already determined as constitutionally acceptable bargaining practice,” said Langer. “OCUFA stands in solidarity with the CUPW members fighting against this awful abrogation of their basic rights and freedoms, and for a fair negotiated settlement.”

Founded in 1964, OCUFA represents 17,000 faculty and academic librarians in 27 faculty associations across Ontario.  For more information, please visit the OCUFA website.
 

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Canadian Labour Congress:

The Official Opposition NDP is conducting a filibuster in the House of Commons to defend free collective bargaining and to oppose back-to-work legislation (Bill C-6) aimed at the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). If this legislation passes as is, CUPW will face a biased arbitration process called Final Offer Selection that favours Canada Post. Incredibly, the legislation also sets salary increases that are less than Canada Post's last wage offer. 

CUPW members and the Official Opposition need your help. We are asking you to send messages of support to CUPW. If you live in an area represented by a New Democrat Member of Parliament (search here for your MP), they would appreciate any stories you can provide about negotiations around pensions or two tier wages that penalize new workers. Those stories will help the MPs wage the filibuster as they will speak about them in the House of Commons. These letters/stories can be emailed to Nathan Rotman.

As with the strike at Air Canada, the lock out at Canada Post is an attack on the many gains made by unions over many years for their members. But it is also an attack on new workers who are being told they don't deserve the same standard of living that we enjoy. 

To express your concerns about the government's actions, please click here to send an email to Prime Minister Harper and Minister of Labour Lisa Raitt.

Ken Georgetti
President
Canadian Labour Congress