B.C. labour groups rally against Canada Post back-to-work legislation
Posted November 29, 2018 5:46 pm.
Last Updated November 29, 2018 5:47 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Waving flags and banners, hundreds of people gathered at Canada Place on Thursday in support of Canada Post workers forced back on the job by the federal government.
BC unions called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a hypocrite, saying that if he truly was a champion of labour, he wouldn’t be forcing people to work.
RELATED: B.C. labour groups to protest after Canada Post ordered back-to-work
Workers say the legislation goes against their right to collective bargaining.
“We are putting Canada Post and Trudeau’s Liberals on notice that as far as we’re concerned, all options are on the table,” Canada Post union representative Jennifer Savage told protesters.
If workers continue under the old contract, Savage said that would result in more than 300 postal workers being hurt during the holiday season, and even more will be forced to work overtime or without pay.
“It’s not easy,” said Lisa Yesowick, who has delivered mail for 24 years. “When you put your heart and soul into something and you get treated like garbage.”
RELATED: Unions block trucks at Canada Post depot in B.C. to protest back-to-work bill
Yesowick said she’s hopeful that Thursday’s rally would make Trudeau listen to their concerns.
The noon hour protest at Canada Place coincided with the BC Federation of Labour convention happening inside the centre.
“We’re getting injuries all the time and it’s not easy when you’re working 10 and 12 hours to have a family life,” said Alice, a worker who said it hurt to be forced back.
