CUPE, Canada’s largest union, is expressing its solidarity with postal workers after federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced Friday that the Liberal government would intervene by asking the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to potentially force striking postal workers back to work.
This is the second time that Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government has trampled the rights of postal workers, the last time being when they passed back-to-work legislation in 2018. This is in addition to Conservative legislation forcing CUPW members back to work in 2011.
“We are deeply concerned by yet another intrusion on the part of the federal government into the collective bargaining process,” said CUPE National President Mark Hancock. “Bargaining belongs between the parties. Bosses need to come to the table and negotiate – not rely on government to intervene on their behalf.”
The Liberals continue to set a worrying precedent. Whether it was WestJet aircraft mechanics, dock workers in Montreal, Quebec and Vancouver, or rail workers with CPKC/CNRC, the Trudeau government has consistently sided with bosses over workers in labour disputes in 2024.
“Free collective bargaining and the right to strike are fundamental rights protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” said CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick. “The Liberals like to brand themselves as the party of the Charter, but their actions continue to defy their words at every turn.”