Postal workers challenge Ottawa over back-to-work bill

CUPW National President Denis Lemelin says 'freedom of association is a fundamental right' and he questions what other rights the Tories will to try to take if they let them get away with this one.

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A locked out Canada Post employee talks with a police officer outside the main postal facility in Halifax on Monday, June 27, 2011. (Andrew Vaughan / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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CTVNews.ca Staff

Date: Wed. Oct. 12 2011 9:00 PM ET

The union representing Canada's postal workers has mounted a legal challenge against the government's use of back-to-work legislation to restore mail delivery last June.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers announced Wednesday it will challenge the constitutionality of the bill that forced tens of thousands of Canada Post workers back on the job.

The Harper government introduced the bill after nearly two weeks of rolling strikes by postal workers were followed by a lock-out. The turmoil caused mail delivery disruptions that led to a massive back-log of letters and parcels that took days to clear once service resumed.

Denis Lemelin, CUPW's national president, said the union is taking the government to court in order to protect workers' rights to free collective bargaining, as well as the right to strike.

"This back-to-work legislation was unjust," Lemelin told a news conference Wednesday. "It was the democratic rights of workers that were attacked.

"There is a fundamental principle here -- the freedom of association."

The union has hired noted constitutional lawyer Paul Cavalluzzo to handle the case.

Despite the union's concerns over the erosion of workers' rights, the government argued that maintaining postal service was key to preserving the country's fragile recovery from the economic crisis.

The government has made the same argument in recent days when vowing to introduce a back-to-work bill in the event of a strike by Air Canada flight attendants.

Jana Regimbal, a spokesperson for Labour Minister Lisa Raitt, defended the legislation that restored postal service.

"There was evidence that it was causing serious harm to small businesses across the country," Regimbal told The Canadian Press in an email. She did not address Wednesday's announcement.

Cavalluzzo said part of the case will include asking the federal court to decide whether the right to strike is protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

He told Wednesday's news conference that in his opinion, the government has become "addicted" to back-to-work legislation, citing the ongoing problem with Air Canada's flight attendants in additional to the postal workers' situation.

"It's an important case because we see now we have a federal government that is very cavalier with the fundamental freedoms of workers today," Cavalluzzo said.

He said the case may eventually be heard by the Supreme Court of Canada.

Comments are now closed for this story

Jagators
said

why can't Postal workers be very happy with the pay that they got ? why worry about money ? money is a worse thing people can think of all the times. now they got hit with debts and increasing the risks of losing their jobs in the near future.

charlie
said

A Union, with shrinking membership, demanding ever more salary and benefits, during a time of economic fragility when more and more people are losing their jobs and doing with less income, to deliver a service that fewer and fewer companies and individuals are using every day and which service is coming closer and closer to extinction with every day that goes by - now what is wrong with that picture? Then the Government acts to preserve the interests of the country and its economy - so what to do - cost the taxpayers a lot of money to take the government to court and try to get the will of the people overturned by one of those famous, unelected judges, who (if the Union gets lucky) may just believe that he or she knows better than Parliament and overturns the Government action. The sooner that Canada Post is privatized, as it sinks beneath the waves, the better. Boy, hard to see how Union management (who all make more than the average postal worker), have the interests of the rank and file at heart. Wake up boys, smell the coffee, and note that the country is not the one you remembered at bedtime!

Travis (Barrhaven)
said

Just fire them all. Start fresh with people who would die to have a job that paid half as well as theirs.

I'm sure labor unions have their uses, but in the case of Air Canada and Canada Post, I think they need to get their heads examined, especially with the problems with the global economy.

Be thankful for what you have today, because maybe you won't have it tomorrow.

Rob,
said

I wish I could get a job at the post office, good pay, good pension, don't have to go to a mail box if its unsafe,overtime, really only half to work half a day,you get to wear a uniform,fresh air everyday, payed vacations and stats. Life would be grand. Does every Canadian have a job like this? If they do Im moving there.

Mike
said

We need right to work legislation. I would like to see how many members CUPE, CUPW, the ATU and many others still have when their members have the choice to not pay union dues, considering they dont represent workers and get funneled to Dalton McLiar anyway.

Mike
said

Wow the posties don't get it, they are soon to be extinct. Since their stupid strike I have had 2 companies tell me they will no longer be sending me bills in the mail (rogers and bell). Oh i can still get a snail mail bill for 2$ a month. The posties strike just hastened the inevidable, all mail will be by email. What do you think loosing bell and rogers mailings will do to their old company? Know what I say, email me all my bills and lay off all the union whiners. They have seriously lost touch with reality. They are soon to be extinct and they don't even see it.

pegger
said

Right on Kitlope!

All the jealous haters on here post the same thing over and over again - "You're overpaid! I'd gladly take your job and pay!" without having a clue what the working conditions are for the job.

Meanwhile they sit quietly when harper cuts the taxes to corporations to the lowest levels in the world, and the gap between rich and poor continues to grow, also at the fastest rate in the world.

Bob
said

The government needs to make strikes of publicly funded employees illegal. They are all grossly overpaid considering their salaries and benefits.

Andy in London
said

To all the soldiers posting on here, I think your comments trump the ones being made by the Canada Post employees. Thank you for what you do for us, by the way.

BuzzerKiller
said

Canadians voted for this. They knew what they were getting in voting in the Conservatives with majority. Don't complain.

allan
said

The time is quickly approaching when we can get along without the post office. I give my business to private carriers.

Arne
said

Oh great, another 5 million of tax money going to lawyers to fight a frivolous lawsuit.

Dale
said

These people were hired to carry the mail, when you went and applied for this job, it was for a mail carrier. Now they want more money, less work. simple: If you strike your fired, they could replace 99% of the people in less than 24 hrs at a lower pay with no union. And prob better service. Real rocket science, put letter in bag walk to house put in metal box, repeat. Now give me $20 hour. I'll do it for $17 and I'll take care of my own health and dental.

Mike
said

One word: GOOD! Harper has been playing fast and loose with our laws and needs to be put in his place. Just like with INSITE, lets let the courts show Harper that his backwards ideas about running a country will not be allowed in a democracy. This isn't even about the postal workers at this point, it is about workers rights and a government that is out of control.

Emmanuel
said

When UPS and PUROLATOR start charging me 95 cents to mail a letter to THE USA for a 2 day service instead of 37.95$ ? Then The postal workers can go and complain about the BACK TO ORDER rule of LAST JUNE. THE CANADIAN POSTAL SERVICE is an essential Service. Courrier companies and transport companies are private sector , and although the services might seem the same , Private Sector Companies are their to make more Money and offer the same services as the POST OFFICE at 15 times the price.
Instead of pleading for a repeal of the BACK TO WORK law of Last June, WHAT the Postal Workers union could have done more constructively is - go to the bargaining table and iron out their issues like any other deliberation of contract in any other Company. at the same time i'm not letting the GOUVERNMENT off the hook either. The Gouvernment should have not intervened in this case ,and let the CORPORATION figure out a solution that would have worked better for all involved. The UNIONS strategy wasnt the best Strategy ,but ROTATING strikes in diffrent cities every day was a fairer plan, than having to be ORDERED BACK TO WORK without accomplishing what you set out to accomplish. It might have dragged on longer , but everyone was fairing ok , with online billing options and going and paying their bills at the bank or in person at your utility companies offices. The gouvernment should have given it a chance. In summary . canada post ? go and enjoy the changing of the leaves , take a trip up north and let it go .

KAS
said

Although I believe Canada Post employees are well paid (for the most part, unless one's boss gets to keep over $30,000 in wages he scammed over 3 years because he didn't honor an employees hours), any challenge to the constitutionality of HARPO'S Conservative Government is welcomed 100% by me, and my family.
It seems, however, that no matter how many illegal, unconstitutional, or human rights violations these CONS get, they have still managed to CON Canadians into thinking they have "the answers". Even when they act like the more radical Repugnicans and Tea Baggers to the South.
Too bad for Canada - but you people elected these losers!

Matthew
said

@Johanna: Then contact your government and demand they increase minimum wage to a level above the poverty line. Until you do that, all your doing is feeding into a system that is designed to keep you down. Doesn't it say something that there are so many people that would be thankful for that pay, that something is wrong? Or that so many people would love that pay? Why is it they are not allowed to fight for that pay and be admired for it, yet most of you say things like... Id take your job or thousands of others would. So the problem isn't so much what 'they' are being paid, but instead, that so many are being paid to little is more the argument. And if you think unions are no longer needed? Think again, the only reason rates of pay are as high as they are is because of unions. Regardless of unions, its hard for a company to say, ill pay you X $/ Hour, when the guy in a union across the street doing the same thing makes XX $ / Hour more. You still have to bring your rate of pay up to make it appealing. Why would you work for 11$ providing a service when another company pays 20$ for the same service and belongs to a union. You think exactly what upper management wants you to think, that unions bankrupt companies. This is simple a lie, it only bankrupts CEO's bonuses to cover the controllable expenses on their profit and lose statements. Don't be a sheep, look at poverty all around you, the middle class is vanishing, and its all happening to the cheers and applauds of the sheep.

Kitlope
said

I used to think it was the corporations that would kill off the middle class since its in their doctrine to pay the cheapest labour possible. I now realize that we're doing it to ourselves.Simply put, anyone that makes a dollar more than someone else is "overpaid". That's the psychology behind it... and because of that fact it's a race to the bottom.When we wake up with nothing but the dirt poor & the filthy rich you can all pat yourselve's on the back.

Troop
said

Steve: try walking 50 miles with full body armour, weapons, food, water, ammo, first aid kit, plus all the other gear needed in extremes of temperature and terrain, then talk to me. No sympathy for your silliness.

GUS
said

Thank you Nathan. I will say it again... Please abolish Union!!

Peter
said

Thank you Johanna Mathieu. I totally agree with you. Excellent comment.

JC
said

Wow, I wish those below would learn how to spell. I guess that is what happens when high school graduates can get a high paying job with no education. The economy is so fragile. Be happy you have a job.

Larry I Ontario
said

Let them all go at Canada post and give people jobs that want to work! They are the laziest people I have ever seen

Sam C
said

"Freedom of Association?" Is he kidding? Freedom of Association is what allows workers to form unions -- it does not give workers the right to mount a strike without being legislated back to work.

Get to work
said

to Steve: The job is at the post office, they should have a clue that the job entailed walking to deliver mail, and yes you have to carry the mail, and sometimes in cold or hot weather. Are you saying they are so stupid they did not understand that was the job they agreed to? If that job is not suited to someone, they can quit. No one is forcing them to deliver mail in any type of weather. If they don't like delivering mail as a job, then please quit the job. Someone will gladly take it from them and not complain that it is too cold out there. Stop complaining and do the job you agreed to do, or quit the job. Simple.

Joe Szentirmay
said

Should the unions along with their activist friends on the bench run this country or should it be our elected government? Unfortunately the left does not have much respect for democracy, but fortunately democracy will prevail in the end.

rod
said

hey postal workers reading the comments thus far do u get the feeling that the public is NOT on your side? reality check, say the gov caves, the majority will then put in a gov that WILL turf you and replace u, u have a job , u have money most do not , LIVE WITH IT

Mike
said

stop complaining, and do the work, u wanted to work for Canada Post now you are complaining ?
If you hate it leave the company period
We at army walk 40-60 miles on daily basis with 60-200 lbs of gear and do we complain ?

DAVID
said

Government workers due to their unique situation, should not have the right to join unions or to strike. Not my words, but close quotes to statements made by US Presidents Franklin D.Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan who occupied the opposite ends of the political spectrum, but both were correct.

Peter
said

Join a Union. Learn about your Rights. Live and work in Canada with your head held high. Strength in numbers. Dignity not despair in the work polace. Learn how to fight against intimidation by the boss, and a anti-worker government. Earn a decent living wage. Protect yourself. Work to live and enjoy your retirement, not work to die poor. Ignore the cowards who only wish to belong to a union but haven't the guts to to stand up and be counted. Defeat any and all governments who try to surpress workers' and their rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom. Freedom to Associate means the right to belong to a Union. Which side are you on? Join a Union .

Buster Hargrove
said

We shall strike whenever we believe that our deal has become unfair, and we will do it, again and again, until the economy is bled dry; it is our democratic right, and these legislative procedures are mere bandages on this seeping wound. But please, don't blame us. Blame our employers. They have all the power.

Ken in Kingston
said

I believe that no one in a industry that is protected should be allowed to strike (or be locked out). Let the post office compete in an open and fair market if the employees are to be allowed to strike. Likewise de-regulate the airline industry and allow competition on all routes and then see how eager the company and employees are to enter into a labor disruption.

Abuse!!!
said

Roy said:"The lazy bums should be happy to have a job and if they don't want it there is thousands ready to step in and be happy to be working"First up, they are not lazy bums and your comment demonstrates your political bias. Anyone who follows a postal worker on their route will quickly appreciate that "lazy" they are not.I don't see thousands applying for their jobs and they won't because the jobs won't come available until either the workers are fired or they resign. The likelihood of either is very remote.Unions protect workers from big business and big government abuse. Abuse just like this!!!

RobARoy
said

I need a job. I have been unemployed for what will be 4 yrs this coming march. Delivering or sorting mail wouldnt be my first choice BUT if i got either job i wouldnt complain about the job unless is was hurting me health wise.Right now anyone who has a job should be happy they have one with SO MANY people are looking for work and when you have a disability like i do it is even harder to find a job.

Jon in Burlington
said

I am beyond tired of listing to these whining Postal Workers. Outside of the business part which is really the only card the posties hold, we can live without them, heck give me delivery twice a week is enough for most of Canadians, I now get all my bills via e-mail, and the plethora of flyers I can live without. The best before date for the postal service is coming due. Time to get rid of 60% of these people

Frank Silva
said

Forget it's the postal workers or the airline workers - what concerns me is the government steps in and interferes with the collective bargaining process whenever it wants these days. Why on earth would any organization come to the bargaining table when they know if they just wait it out the government will ultimately legislate workers back to work???

Will
said

The time of the union is long over. Disband the postal union and get it over with. Enough is enough.

Mike
said

They needed to get them back to work. Unions are usless, if you don't like yr job, quit.

Realist
said

After CUPE has wasted half a million dollars of members money and cost the Canadian Taxpayers
a equal amout, it will be all for nothing. CUPE will have lost regardless of the Supreme Courts decision. "The noy-with-standing clause in our Constitution, Thanks-a-lot Pierre.

Jake
said

When the union loses they should be made to pay all the legal costs and then fire all the postal workers. It won't be hard to replace them.

R U Kidding Me
said

Did you not know this that you would be out walking in the cold or sun before you applied for the job. Quit the whining and if you don't like the job go some where else but then you may have to work for a living. You went to the door once too often only this time Harper answered it.

Matt from Montreal
said

@Steve,Have you ever walked in 40 weather with 70 kilo's of gear on your back?...never saw a soldier complain about a job (s)he willing signed up for...Just sayin..

DonnyB2
said

The right to work or not to work is and should be a fundamental right. But striking prevents other people from working, and prevents others willing to do so from doing your job. If the right to strike is protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, then the right to fire your sorry butts should be too.

Robert
said

I think that where a government legislated monopoly exists, the workers should not be allowed to strike which would leave people without an alternative. Canada Post has a legislated monopoly for letter delivery (note, not for parcels).I also think unions have a purpose.. particularly with the concern of workplace safety. However, they should have NOTHING to do with wages, that should be based on merit and worth.I think two new pieces of legislation are needed: a: remove the monopoly on letter delivery in Canada so that competing companies can form... then if one company strikes (or is locked out) it doesn't necessarily effect the entire nation, and at least people have choices. b: remove the unions ability to bargain over wages and seniority.

J_J
said

@Spiltbongwater MP's get a week long "break" because they're back in their constituencies attending events and meeting with residents. They're still working.

dab
said

Just another dictatorial action for the cons that almost 40% voted for??

kevin
said

should just disband canada post. They are as slow as they can possibly be, charge as much as they possibly can. i use ups and fedex for everything now except for the junk companies send me.

Shoeman1975
said

When the union loses, the government better take the union to court to recuperate the legal fees it spent defending themselves and fighting these idiots.

mike
said

I don't believe any group should have too much power, unions nor employers, nor government.

Let them strike, eventually they will all have to negotiate. Canada post is maybe a bit more central, so at least a minimum service could be legislated. In air canada's case, there are so many competitors that we should let market forces prevail.

Don
said

Postal workers have to be careful... they are treading on water when they buck too much. Remember, e-mail, paypal, electronic flyers, etc.... are the new ways to go... less and less mail is required, so one day, we won't need Canada Post....

Andy in London
said

cry me a river CP Worker, you guys are paid well for what you do. I make less than half of what postal workers are earning at entry level, and I'm barely scraping by. If you want to quit, I'll take over your jobjust saying..........

Andy in London
said

@Steve: That's their job to do that in ALL weather, if they don't like it they can quit! There are plenty of underemployed Canadians like myself, and lets definitely not forget the unemployed, who would love to take over their jobs if they don't want to do it anymore.I'm tired of hearing about the "poor postal worker" and all they have to put up with. Like I said above, that's their job. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen

JJ
said

Really tired of union blackmail. We are stuck with Dalton McLiar in Ontario again thanks to his cozy relationship with unions.

Debbie
said

I have never read so many comments made by greedy, selfish, miserable old-thinking people in my life. Why are you so hell-bent on denying the average worker the right to fight for a better standard of living? I guess as long as you're comfortable that's all that matters.

Ross
said

Every one who has union has a right to strike the Government should never stick there noses in it. When you have someone like Lisa Raitt and her Conservatives who do not understand this they should be taught a lesson about what unions do for us. Then maybe they will stay out and let companies do there think with the unions. Maybe next time these folks who vote for the conservatives will think twice before doing so.

One Canadian
said

@Roy, You sound like you belong in the 1930's we're having a job ment you can't complain,where your boss can put your life in danger and you had no choice but to do it.... Well Roy guess what it's 2011, and people don't have to put up with greedy evil corporation who don't care about the well being of their employees. There is a reason Unions exist, because corporation care only about the bottom line. - I believe that there jealous over how China is treating their employees, and hopes to duplicate it here in Canada. in my opinion that's criminal and if the matter is brought to the supreme court then I think the Harper goverment should stop intervening with back to work legislation, or be held accountable with Jail time, for trampelling the rights of it's citizens like some dictator.

Brett
said

The back to work legislation saved the jobs of postal workers. Most people I know moved to online bill paying. Therefore less mail, means less reason to have postal service. I believe that the postal service as it stands now, will not survive to see another 10 years.

Jen
said

Unions and workers had to make many sacrifices and fight many fights in the past to get the rights that we take for granted today. Workers should be on guard with the current gouvernment as they take away workers rights at their convenience and agenda. We need to stand united to maintain our rights and protect our standard of living.

RG
said

Canadian Union of Public EmployeesPUBLIC EMPLOYEES.Are they not supposed to be workers working for the public.For the good of the community we call a country.Or is it just another division of greed incorporated.Overpaid ,under worked,and holding the entire country hostage.

Chris in Edmonton
said

I get mail twice a week at the most. The postal union ( along with every other union ) is completely out of touch with reality.

Tom in Calgary
said

Rights are rights and whether you feel they are lazy bums is irrelevant. It is only because people have courage to stand up for their rights that we can take so many of ours for granted. Travel the world and you might find your eyes opened to what we have, thanks to those who had the courage to fight for our rights.

Steve
said

Nice Roy step on the rights of works and call them lazy.Have you ever walk in -20 c with 20 kilos on your back?Or in 30c heat.Walk a mile in there shoes before you call them lazy.

John
said

Fire all of the postal workers and get it over with.....

Johanna Mathieu
said

When unions first came into being, the rights of workers were almost non-existant. Now the tables are turned because unions are so powerful that they are holding the country hostage. Business both large and small, charities and even individuals are really suffering because of prolonged strikes and what bothers me is that the unions are so determined to fight for their rights that they don't care what their strike is doing to people or the economy. There are people who would give anything to have even a small portion of unionized workers' salaries.

Jack
said

Well Mr. Roy, now they're lazy bums just because they want a fair deal. So I'd imagine that you NEVER ask for a wage increase or any other change for the better in your working conditions 'cause that would make you a lazy bum too. How about you comment on the article? Or, better yet, why don't you move to Moscow or China so you can avoid being a lazy bum?

I think that the harperites are mini-Republicans; only they're pursuing things that even the Republicans have found don't work (i.e. more prisons). Them and their buddies in business must be laughing all the way to the bank.

Brian Havelock
said

Other than for the misinformed it is quite obvious the CUPE members are within their rights in with drawing withdrawing their services at this time. Lisa Raitt is being deceitful in her public pronouncements.

M.M.B. Ont
said

It's sad that unionized workers have to hold the Canadian people hostage with a strike just because they feel they deserve a hugh wage increase and benefit pkg. They obviously don't appreciate their jobs. Unions must have money to burn that they can afford to take the gov't to court over back to work rules. Pathetic !

Jermac
said

Roy how do you know these people are lazy , they are in a legal position to withdraw their services this is what collective bargaining is about. Take a moment to understand the situation from both sides before you much such biased unsubstantiated statements.

AH from Calgary
said

I don't like unions.at times where thousands of Canadians were laid off due to economical downturn or lived on EI wages you see others refusing to mdo their jobs at very god wages, how is that fair for those without income?Unions be reasonable in you demands and choose the right time to discuss that.I totally support the government in their action!

Warren
said

Sounds like a bunch of spoiled civil servants. Spoiled being the operative word. Let them strike, let the company go bankrupt, let the competitor take over the business, and let Canadians receive some customer service instead of lip service. I haven't flown with Air Canada for many years for several reasons, their lip service to their consumers being a primary one. Good luck with future employment. You may obtain some when you mature.

Phil
said

If it is indeed unconstitutional to force them back to work under an unratified contract, then it is surely legal to cut up that contract, fire them all, and find out how many qualified people are willing to do the same job for less! It's time for people to realize that they have no claim to their job once their contract expires.

spaz
said

Being deemed an "essential service" might be the answer......can someone pass the hankies......I get teary eyed every time CUPW has a grievance......if it were not for junk mail they would be facing layoffs.

AM
said

Here is what is unjust - Canada Post employees holding the country hostage with their strike. Worker's rights? What about the rights of the rest of us? The unions have had too strong a hold on things for much too long. It is time for change. It is time they are done away with and the business of being in business allowed to continue.

John - Kitchener (an ordinary Joe)
said

Why does the CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS not spell out any obligations (such as the Postal Union's obligation to promote MY right to mail a letter and have it delivered)?Why can MY rights be trodden under foot?MY right to arrive at an airport, be processed promptly and courteously, and flown to my destination? Or MY right not to be harassed by a Human Rights Tribunal just for speaking my opinion?Seems everybody's got rights and freedoms, except the ordinary Joe

Frank
said

Thank you for taking this matter to the courts. When governments strike down and trample on the rights of individual workers we can't stand idle, we must fight back. Big business, some of the rich and now governments are out of control with the rights of individuals.

CP Worker
said

come and walk one mile in our shoes then you can add comments ..... Ingorant

Diane
said

The postal union needs their books opened right up to public scrutiny. The sooner the better.

Mike
said

Roy,

There is nothing wrong with employees standing up for what they believe in. The fact is, there are NOT thousands of people waiting in line to work at Canada Post. The company purposely hires temp and casual new employees as a way to avoid giving people full time work and benefits. Working one day a month is not "work."

Chris H
said

Privatize.

Maryanne
said

I believe the need for unions is long over. You have a job, do the work. If you don't like the work find another job. I think if someone serves strike notice they should be presented with their ROE. The reason for the ROE should state quit so they can't collect EI right away. End of discussion.

L.King
said

These workers are not lazy they are demonstrating a right to speak in this democratic country of ours that we should be proud of.Many countries in this world don't allow the people freedom of speech.Often the big message in these disputes is overlooked and in this case as was with the postal workers is the right of freedom of speech.Rather than so quickly ridiculing the workers, we as a country should be alarmed at our government for silencing it's people.This is not the Canadian way.Laws have been broken here by our government and eventually if we all continue to follow these issues we will be told just that.Shame on the Harper government.

duck10goose
said

Try walking 10 miles a day with 30 lbs on your back . 30 below , 30 above , dogs , snow , rain , wind . Pretty easy to criticize sitting on your couch . Why don't you put in an application . Dare you,,,,,,,

Mike
said

And if it wasn't for unions minimum wage would likely be $5.00 an hour. I think the flight attendants should continue with the strike and not go back when told to. What will the government do then? They definitely won't fire them or Air Canada will go under. By the time they hire and train new flight attendants Air Canada will be no more.

Chris
said

I would not consider the governments choice to give a back-to-work order in a time of economic hardship to be anymore "cavalier" then the choice of the Unions to strike and adversly affect the lives of millions of people in rough times.

@Roy
said

Actually, Canada Post is on a hiring spree. It's hiring thousands of on-call temps. Soon there will be thousands more part time workers with no benefits, no pension and no future because the Corp. has no intention of hiring any of them permanent. But I'm sure Jim Flabbity will beam with glee when he rises and announces the thousands of new jobs created in October. So I guess you and all the other cranky old retirees can sit back, sip your Tim's and enjoy the fact you're past greed gave rise to a new slave class in Canada, even at the federal level. How's your pension, all you cranky old retirees? How's your OAS? I guess you can sleep well knowing there will soon be thousands more drone bee's helping to pay you off knowing they will never have the benefits you enjoy. Just another shameful chapter in the HarperCON tale of lies and deceit. I hope the SCC rips them a new one.

Mtl Buddy
said

Maybe it's time to de-certify The Canadian Union of Postal Workers. Get rid of all those job security clauses and just pay them their worth. You want job security? Just do your job and you get to keep your job. Unions are nothing but a scam in this day and age! A portion of your salary goes to pay for the 6 digit salaries of the union executives. Stop taking the Canadians hostage!

RP
said

Dear postal workers,
I'm sure the majority of the population is sick of hearing your constant complaints. Given the current state of the economy, there are thousands of people that would gladly do your job, without complaining about it. Why don't you all quit and see if you can get another job (with your lack of education) for the money that you're currently getting. You're overcompensated to begin with so either shutup with your constant whining or quit and let other people have the jobs.
Sincerely,
Sick of hearing about this.

Nathan
said

Please abolish Unions.

Spiltbongwater
said

M.Ps get a week long Thanksgiving break? MBN too bad they can't extend the same holiday to the regular working class who pay their cushy jobs.

Marisha
said

The postal workers don't deliver the volume of mail they used to. In fact, they have to resort to stuffing my mail box with unwanted flyers to create revenue. But they want the same wage for less work.Stewardesses are the same thing. They don't have to serve meals and run their feet off like they used to. Even their safety msg preflight is a recording now. But they also want the same wage for less work.It's tough times out there be thankful you're working!M

Mitch in Kitch
said

I'm so tired of all these strikes. I think the (un-unionized) public who actually have to work hard and perform to keep their jobs, are tired of all this. On another note, how does an article about Postal Workers vs The Government end off with a tale of a man dying of cancer? focus!

William
said

These workers should be thankful they have a job. Fire them all and replace with non union workers, benefits which are common place. Would save the taxpayers millions and no more disruptions. Tired of the spoiled union brats. BTW, I was in a well paying union job and left because of their politics. Private sector will always be the heartbeat of any economy if given the incentives.

RonPaul2012
said

A Canada Post employee gets paid over $20 an hour to sort mail and they're complaining? If you don't like your job then quit. I'll be happy to replace you (and so would thousands of others)

Roy
said

The lazy bums should be happy to have a job and if they don't want it there is thousands ready to step in and be happy to be working.

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