THUNDER BAY – About 20 irate postal workers, upset at pending back-to-work legislation being pushed through the House of Commons on Friday night, descended on Labour Minister Patty Hajdu’s Thunder Bay constituency office to convey their displeasure.
Calling Hajdu and the Liberals liars, the workers said union members and Canada Post should be left to negotiate a new contract themselves, without government intervention they say takes away much of the leverage during the bargaining process.
“A fair and just resolution cannot be achieved by the interference of a third party in any situation,” said local Canadian Union of Postal Workers spokesman Brendon Roy, speaking to Hajdu’s constituency staff in her absence.
Roy pinned the labour dispute at the feet of Canada Post, adding the corporation has known all along that Hajdu and the Liberals would bail them out by forcing workers, who have been holding rotating strikes across the country since the strike began, back on the job.
“Legislation is not the answer to the solution,” Roy said.
Ruby Lockwood was among the postal workers threatening en masse to turn from the Liberals in next year’s election.
“We voted this government in because we believed in them. We believed the Liberals were going to save our jobs and if we were ever to go on strike, we would be able to negotiate a deal with our employer. Instead of that (Prime Minister Justin Trudeau) lied to us,” Lockwood said.
“He lied to us to get our votes. I can guarantee you he’s lost about 50,000 votes, just the employees alone, not to mention all the unions throughout Canada, which is what, 10 million?”
Hajdu, who was in Ottawa for the vote, scheduled for 8 p.m. on Friday night, issued a brief statement via email to local media.
Hajdu said for nearly a year the government has supported and encouraged both sides to reach a negotiated deal, assisted by third-party experts and a special mediator.
It’s gone on too long, she said.
“This ongoing work stoppage has had significant negative impacts on Canadians, businesses, international commerce, Canada Post, its workers and their families,” Hajdu said.
“Canadians and businesses rely on Canada Post and its workers, especially during the busy retail season. With Canadians and Canadian businesses feeling serious impacts, our government is prepared to legislate a path forward to keep goods moving for Canadians.
If required, the legislation would set out a process by which the parties would return to work while continuing negotiations with an independent mediator-arbitrator. Our government does not take this step lightly, and it is intended as a last resort.”
Workers have vowed to occupy Hajdu’s Thunder Bay office until the vote.
