Canada Post workers gathered across the nation on Saturday in a rally designed to raise awareness of the ongoing labour dispute. In Vancouver, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers-organized protest saw dozens come together in front of the former processing plant on West Georgia Street to call for better wages and work conditions. “Across the country, there will be a lot of members. Over here, about 200 members showed up today,” said Anju Parmar, the CUPW’s Vancouver president. Describing the event as a “hands-off campaign,” Parmar said it was in place to send a strong message to the government to “stay away” and keep their “hands off my postal office.” The rally marked the latest to be held by postal workers who have been embroiled in contract negotiations with the Crown corporation for months, and comes after a month-long strike in November last year. In a meeting between the CUPW, Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu and Secretary of State for Labour John Zerucelli on Friday, Canada Post asked Hajdu to direct the union to vote on the proposals the Crown corporation presented to members earlier this week. Canada Post presented its “final offers” to the union on Wednesday, offering concessions including an end to compulsory overtime and signing bonuses of up to $1000, but sticking to its pitch of a 14 per cent cumulative wage hike over four years and part-time staff on weekend shifts. “In the end, I would say that we still want a fairly negotiated collective agreement,” said Parmar. “We still expect both parties to come up with a good, fair collective agreement, and I want the employer to come back to the table and negotiate in a good faith.” Striking, said Parmar, will be the workers “last option.” With files from The Canadian Press
