June 25, 2011 – 15:40
Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Letter
By Email
Mr. Jack Layton
Leader of the Official Opposition
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
Mr. Layton:
Subject: Bill C-6
On behalf of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, I wish to congratulate you, your NDP colleagues, and the other opposition members of Parliament who have continued to oppose Bill C-6.
Your efforts were successful in provoking a resumption of negotiations between CUPW and the Canada Post Corporation. During the evening of June 24, we held extensive discussions involving representatives of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and Labour Minister Lisa Raitt. This morning, June 25, we met twice with CPC in direct negotiations.
Despite your efforts and the support and solidarity activities of tens of thousands of people across the country, the negotiations were unsuccessful.
CPC once again refused to amend their position. They remain as intransigent as they have been since the introduction of the back-to-work legislation by the Harper government.
Given these circumstances, we believe it would be appropriate for you to introduce amendments which would at least remove the most offensive aspects of this legislation.
Once again, we offer you and your colleagues our deepest thanks for your efforts to oppose this unjust law. We especially appreciate the fact that you were prepared to continue the debate during the national holiday of Quebec.
Your actions, which were successful in provoking a resumption of negotiations, demonstrate the importance of a strong progressive opposition. We remain committed to continue to work with you and the members of your caucus in the broader struggle for decent jobs for ourselves and for future generations of workers.
Denis Lemelin
Président national / National President
Négociateur en chef, unité de l’exploitation postale urbaine /
Chief Negotiator, Urban Postal Operations Unit
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As bargaining continues between CUPW and Canada Post, and CUPW members engage in nationwide rotating strikes in an effort to get Canada Post to negotiate seriously, working conditions have rapidly declined on our work floors.
