I am a retired postal worker who wants to thank all of you for the courage, determination and solidarity you showed in the November and December 2024 strike.
The first strike I participated in was in 1975 and the last strike I participated in was 2011. During this period, me and my coworkers were ordered back to work in 1978, 1987, 1991,1997, and 2011. CUPW was also ordered back to work in 2018 and 2024.
Initially the back to work rulings depressed and demoralized me. All I was doing was striking to improve my working conditions and to better the postal service and the government of Canada responded by attacking my basic rights to free collective bargaining and the right to strike.
But, I realized that being demoralized was just what Canada Post and the government wanted. They wanted to stop all of us from our proper and just fights to have safe work, decent staffing, fair wages, and a postal service that meets people’s needs. So, even though it was hard and at times frustrating and maddening I kept on fighting.
As a retired postal worker, I also need to thank all of you for striking to stop the erosion of the gains me and my coworkers made through strikes, and other struggles. This is so important and it is also heartwarming and wonderful.
As someone who is dependent on her Canada Post Defined Benefit Pension to live, I also want to thank and congratulate you for saying no to Canada Post’s pension rollbacks. You not only protected my pension, you safeguarded your own pensions, and the pensions of future workers. I am immensely grateful for this.
When I went to your picket lines or read about picket activity on social media I was so impressed. You took care of each other, you had fun, you were determined, and you continually sent Canada Post a strong message that you wanted fairness and justice.
So please accept my thanks and admiration and remember that “The Struggle Continues”
In Solidarity,
Marion Pollack