The Halifax public organizes rally to support the locked out postal workers

Program Title: Public Supported Post!
Description: Last Friday afternoon, a large group rallied together right outside the Almon Street main office in Halifax to support the locked out postal workers. The lockout was declared late tuesday night by the canada post crown corporation, after 12 days of rotating strikes. The rally was organized by public supporters. The sentiment was echoed as cars honked in solidarity as they passed by, and smoke rose from the barbeques manned by volunteers. After listening to speeches from local union representatives and allies, I got a chance to speak with Trevor Beckerson, the President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) about the current situation.

The lockout was determined by Canada Post Corporation and not the employees. Peter Coswell, a Canada Post employee emphasizes that it was not the union who stopped the mail, it was the corporation.

Prior to the lock out, negotiations on pension, workplace health and safety, and sick leave benefits were blocked by the Canada Post Corporation and misreported by mainstream media. At this point, negotiations are out of their hands. The federal government is trying to force employees back to work with a bill that the union is calling unnecessary, unjust, and counterproductive.

The Union of Postal Workers is providing a public service and their demands speak to a broader issue. Job security, not only for current but future staff. Diane Pickering from the CUPW explains the larger picture.

After eight months at the bargaining table, Canada Post still hasn’t made any concessions. On the other hand, public consumers who benefit from our public Postal delivery service, are showing their support for the union’s demands. Beckerson hopes that Canada Post Corporation will admit to this reality.

Canada Post just spent 2.5 billion on new machines that have proved harmful to employees, which seems to be an indication of what’s to come. Pickering and Beckerson interpret this prioritisation of machinery over staffing, as a move towards privatization.

The truth about Canada Post Corporation’s budget might not be what it seems. At the height of the recession, in 2009, Canada Post recorded their biggest profit ever of 281 million dollars. Pickering believes that the corporation is profiting off of workers backs.

It is clear that the postal service is a profitable company. One that the federal government has been trying to secure, to the detriment of the public. This is what the CUPW is trying to stop.

In terms of the predicted forecast for labour struggles under the conservative majority, Beckerson believes they will become more strategic and intense. He calls for public support for current and future struggles for labour rights.

Thanks to Trevor Beckerson, Diane Pickering and Peter Coswell for their comments.

Host(s): Melissa Albiani
Featured Speakers/Guests: Thanks to Trevor Beckerson, Diane Pickering and Peter Coswell for their comments.

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