Recently, several members, including new members at the PPC, have asked me if wearing black T-shirts, etc. makes a difference in our bargaining. The answer is YES.
#3 shift shop stewards
Canada Post looks at how people respond to their negotiation proposals.
Supervisors and managers are reporting daily to Canada Post headquarters about how CUPW members are showing support for our negotiators. This may include how many people participate in these actions and how they respond to Canada Post’s bargaining offers.
This is happening in every post office across the country.
When people at Canada Post headquarters learn that CUPW members support their negotiators, they use that information to develop their bargaining strategy.
This means that every black T-shirt day, every collective coffee break, and all other actions taken by CUPW members assist the negotiators in strengthening our position at the bargaining table.
These actions also put pressure on Canada Post to re think their negotiations strategy and to change some of their bargaining proposals.
#2 shift members on a break
LCD 1 & 2
Canada Post also looks at the numbers of CUPW members participating in an action.
The more people who wear black T-shirts or who take part in an action, the more Canada Post knows that CUPW members are serious and committed to getting a new fair collective agreement.
We want management to know that we aren’t happy with their global offer. The more members that participate will show Canada Post that we think they can do better.
Glen Drive
CUPW members have been showing solidarity by participating in “days of action” in many previous rounds of bargaining.
In the past, these actions have forced Canada Post to back down on some issues.
In this round of bargaining, Canada Post is not demanding major pension rollbacks. The main reason is because postal workers Coast to Coast said no to this. They had mass coffee breaks, practice pickets, black T-shirt days, they also brought in no rollback cakes. The list of actions goes on.
#2 shift PO4s and HVO
These actions send a strong message to Canada Post. These actions also show Solidarity on the work floor.
Canada Post has not shown any respect towards Postal Workers by presenting this most recent Global Offer. They have also not shown any promising changes for future postal workers.
Our National office is asking members from Coast to Coast to continue the momentum.
The more we are united the stronger message we send to our employer. It also tells the employer that we are not going to stop until we get a new collective agreement that meets our needs.
#2 shift Stewards
I am a firm believer of organizing the work floor to stand against the boss. I encourage you all to take part in organizing a “Day of Action” to support our negotiators. Let’s continue to tell Canada Post that we deserve better. We need a fair collective agreement for all postal workers.
The Struggle Continues…..
In Solidarity,
Anju Parmar-Urie
3rd Vice President
North Burnaby
#2 shift members
