‘Attacking Canada Post and the postal workers who serve our country, that is not the way to make Canada stronger \u2013 that weakens every single one of us, and if they had any backbone in the government, they would have decided that this is a resource to develop,’ said Ontario NDP leader<\/p>\n
Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles gave encouragement to striking Canada Post workers on Tuesday \u2013 and took aim at the federal government while she was at it.<\/p>\n
As part of her trip to Sault Ste. Marie, Stiles joined the CUPW Local 600 picket line near the Queen Street Canada Post office this afternoon.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know a lot of people, in the last federal election, they held their nose and they voted to keep Canada together, to stand strong against Donald Trump,\u201d she told the crowd of striking workers.<\/p>\n
\u201cAttacking Canada Post and the postal workers who serve our country, that is not the way to make Canada stronger \u2013 that weakens every single one of us, and if they had any backbone in the government, they would have decided that this is a resource to develop.\u201d<\/p>\n
Canada Post\u2019s 55,000 workers went on strike Sep. 25 \u2013 including 135 local workers spanning from Wawa to Iron Bridge \u2013 following Canada Post\u2019s announcement that it plans to end door-to-door mail delivery to most households in the next decade.<\/p>\n
At the time, Procurement Minister Joel Lightbound said the move is among sweeping changes meant to help shore up the Crown corporation\u2019s finances amid declining letter mail and its small share of the parcel market.<\/p>\n
Aside from the federal government, Stiles also accused the crown corporation\u2019s management of taking a lead role in creating its current issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that they have made conscious decisions that undermine this important Canadian resource, this Crown Corporation. They made those calls,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey had a choice, and they need to be called out for it, right? They’re supposed to be working for the people of Canada, and they are undermining this important resource we have.\u201d<\/p>\n
Canada Post\u2019s financial outlook has been bleak over the past several years, but local union president Ken Sheaves previously told SooToday\u00a0the crown corporation has diverted a lot of its business to Purolator \u2013 which it owns a 91 per cent stake of.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey’re busting at the seams. They can’t keep up \u2013 but that’s our company,\u201d Sheaves said at the outset of the strike. \u201cWhy aren’t we campaigning to promote Canada Post with the same energy that they’re using to promote Purolator?\u201d<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, Stiles similarly accused Canada Post of \u201cchipping away\u201d at its own resources.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see what Canada Post is doing: we know that they have been chipping away, that they are lying to the people of Canada about their profitability and the options they have,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery single person that loses a job, that’s a family that loses their income \u2013 every single one of you. It\u2019s a service that we are going to lose as community members, but it’s also actual jobs and livelihoods.\u201d<\/p>\n
As negotiations between CUPW and Canada Post approach their third week, Stiles called on the people of Sault Ste. Marie to lend their support.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat’s part of the reason why I’m here today, is to send a message out to the people of Sault Ste Marie to come out here and show solidarity with you as workers, and to call up their member of parliament, to call up Canada Post management and say get back to the bargaining table with a decent offer,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet’s get this settled, and let’s get these people back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
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