The president of the local union representing Canada Post workers isn't happy the federal government has tabled back-to-work legislation to end the postal strike.
Clark Rasmussen says the move violates an employee's constitutional rights.
"The best way is to get a collective deal at the table, where both sides can walk away with a fair deal," he writes in an email to PrinceGeorgeMatters. "As well, this legislation is being brought forward by Liberal government, who said they believe in honest collective bargaining, and would not interfere with negotiations. Legislation and binding arbitration rarely are in the union's favour, so we do not support this type of action."
Prince George Canada Post workers were back on the picket lines Tuesday (Nov. 20). More communities have gone on strike as of today (Nov. 23), including the Fraser Valley.
Rasmussen says one of the main issues the union is fighting for is better health and safety. He says injuries have gone up 36 per cent in the last year alone.
"Our injuries are five times higher than any others in the federal sector," he says. "We have members being forced to work overtime, some over 12 hours, which has created an injury crisis at Canada Post. The company has acknowledged that injuries are up 36 per cent since last year alone, and at the same time saying the parcel business is booming and doing over a million parcels a day. This type of workload is not being adapted with proper workload levels, and the injury-on-duty numbers are showing this. Some members are going to work feeling unsafe and going home broken."
In an emailed statement, Canada Post says it remains at the table to find the "common ground needed to reach a fair and reasonable settlement."
"We continue to operate in an attempt to minimize further service impacts on the many people who depend on us, especially at this time of year," the statement reads.
