A Federal election could be called in the coming weeks. As is the case, CUPW has updated its pre-election report card, grading all federal parties on the issues that are important to CUPW members.
The Rankings
The New Democratic Party (NDP) is the traditional supporter of labour, and the party’s grade reflects this. The NDP supports service expansion, protecting rural post offices, and voted in favour of protecting pensions. NDP MPs have also voted against back-to-work legislation.
The Green Party and the Bloc Québecois also received passing grades as they have both repeatedly defended postal worker rights.
The Conservatives have continued to prove they aren’t friends of workers. Part of their plan to balance the budget if elected is to cut or roll back public services, pensions, and benefits that allow workers to retire with dignity.
The Liberal Party’s grades have been downgraded since our August 2024 edition. The Liberals chose to do an end run around our Charter rights and forced us to return to work in December through section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. They also forced CUPW into an Industrial Inquiry Commission under section 108. While they did end the conversion to CMBs in 2018, they have once again violated our right to free and fair collective bargaining.
They are also removing an extra safeguard in the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) – a specific exception for Canada Post’s exclusive privilege to deliver letter mail. The exclusive privilege is still covered by the Canada Post Act, but we need to be vigilant any time protections are lifted.
You can see the report card and rationale here: https://www.cupw.ca/en/pre-election-report-card-federal-parties-postal-workers
What’s At Stake
We do not yet know which political party will be in power when Commissioner Kaplan’s report comes down in May. We also are in the midst of an unprecedented trade war, with US President Donald Trump threatening to annex Canada by “economic force.” The Liberal party will have a new leader and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has spent the last year on the attack. He’s tried to position himself as a champion of the working class, but his voting record over the last 20 years is decidedly anti-worker. The Conservative Party’s grade reflects its history of supporting back-to-work legislation, advocating for employees to be able to opt-out of unions, and attacks on pensions.
The last few years have been very difficult for everyone. We have been cornered by unlawful and unjust measures taken by the Minister of Labour. We are all looking for ways to make our lives better, but we must take the time to listen to what our elected officials are saying, ask them tough questions, and make sure that their actions match their words. We need to make educated decisions about our future and the future of the public postal service.
In Solidarity!
Jan Simpson
National President
2023-2027 / Bulletin #221
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