Canada Post Delivers Suspensions
On October 9, 2008, CUPW members were asked to wear a button that states “Your Public Post Office Delivers- For Now” to show opposition to postal deregulation and to create public awareness. In true Canada Post fashion, they met this request with its standard military style of management; issue 24 Hr notices of interview, issue emergency suspensions and threaten suspension to anyone who refuses to remove the button.| One of the suspended on CBC Radio One {mp3}cbc_early_edition{/mp3} |
Canada Post is able to provide universal postal rates and service because of the profits that are generated from its exclusive privilege to deliver first class letters. Without that exclusive privilege, Canada’s universal postal service would to be compromised. Canada Post is a public post office, it serves all Canadians, and deregulation infringes on Canada Post’s exclusive privilege to collect, transmit and deliver national and international letters within Canada. What ever happened to an informed public? What ever happened to transparency? If Canada Post really wanted an informed public, why did they meet this campaign with such a heavy handed approach?
The right to wear a button according to the Supreme Court of Canada can be seen as a freedom of expression. A freedom of expression is an individual liberty that allows us to freely express a point of view without fear of reprisals. The wearing of a button is without a doubt a way to exercise one’s freedom of expression. When wearing a button:
- The decision to wear a button must be made voluntarily.
- Physically, the button must be relatively inconspicuous and should not deface the uniform provided by the employer.
- The message on the button should reflect reality.
- The message should be expressed appropriately, and should not be hostile or derogatory in nature.
- The button should not be worn in conjunction with activities that force the public to take notice of the message.
- The wearing of the button should not disturb normal work activity.
- The wearing of the button cannot concretely compromise business relations with customers or suppliers, unless there is a fundamentally valid reason to do so.
Obviously Canada Post does not want an informed public otherwise why did they meet this attempt to engage in conversation with the public with disciplinary letters and suspensions. Arbitrators throughout Canada have upheld this decision by the Supreme Court of Canada, and they to have awarded the Union the right to wear buttons.
There is no doubt that this “Strategic Review” of Canada Post has heightened the awareness of the Union, and we believe that this stifling of our members and their right to freedom of expression is just another attempt by the Harper Government and Moya Green (CEO of Canada Post) to sweep things under the rug during an election.
As stated by our Pacific National Director, “Postal Workers are committed to keeping the Postal Service publicly owned and accountable to the Canadian taxpayer. We are proud of our individual member’s commitment to ensuring that freedom of expression continues in Canada. We want to ensure that no backroom deals are made with big business to carve off profitable portions of the Corporation in the future”.
We encourage you to write a letter to your Member of Parliament and to Moya Green (CEO of Canada Post) and express your concerns. We also encourage you to invite your family and friends to do the same. Deregulation means the loss of Canada Post’s exclusive privilege to collect, transmit and deliver national and international letters within Canada. Currently, under the Canada Post Corporation Act, private businesses are prevented from delivering letters unless they charge at least three times the rate set by Canada Post for a 50 gram letter.
Cindy A. Lee
Grievance Officer
Vancouver Local
Grievance Officer
Vancouver Local