Forcing vote on postal workers is another abuse of power by Liberals

CUPE, Canada’s largest union, is calling the Liberal government’s move to force a vote on postal workers an assault on collective bargaining, and another abuse of power from a prime minister who promised to be better.

“Mark Carney promised to run a different kind of government than Justin Trudeau, but it turns out that doesn’t apply to respecting workers’ rights,” said CUPE National President Mark Hancock. “Once again, the Liberals are putting their thumb on the scales in collective bargaining and siding with the employer. Would a Conservative government under Pierre Poilievre act any differently? Probably not.”

On June 12, the Liberal Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu granted Canada Post’s request to force a vote on Canada Post’s “final offer” for workers represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). The Liberal government’s repeated interventions in collective bargaining at employers’ behest – which began under former Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon – continues to poison labour relations in Canada, instill bitterness, and preclude enduring labour peace in Canada.

“This is a disappointing abuse of power by Prime Minister Carney and Minister Hajdu, plain and simple,” said CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick. “It is an attempt to intimidate postal workers - and all workers - into accepting less and less. Rather than targeting postal workers, the federal government should be investing in making Canada Post a stronger service for communities across Canada, and that starts by investing in the workers who keep the service running.”