The attached link is for a short video shot during the occupation of an Conservative MP office by members of our Edmonton Local. Brother Nick Dreidger gives a plain clothed police officer a little education on the determination of the working class. Good Job Nick!
Everywhere, workers are taking action to send the Harper Government a message - butt out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiljUh15tAg
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
TAKING IT TO THEIR DOOR
Members in Winnipeg joined activists in Edmonton and Vancouver and took our message to the Conservative MP's this week - YOU SUCK!
Five members here in Winnipeg occupied the constituency office of Shelly Glover, MP for Saint Boniface and parliamentary secretary for the minister of finance starting at noon on Monday . They were joined by a jubillant group of outside protesters that stayed with them for the duration of the occupation. We also enjoyed the support of members from the Canadian Union of Public Employees, community activists and Cop Watch.
The occupation ended at 130 in the morning on Tuesday when the police moved in and asked that we leave. Everyone in our Union can be proud of these members that conducted themselves very respectfully of the constituency staff. The Winnipeg Police service remarked that they were impressed with our conduct and observed that there was no damage to any property.
Glover was not quite as impressed however. She has now closed her constituency office for the duration of our struggle and blames it on "the disruptive actions of the postal workers". Perhaps not the brightest thing to say when we know that you will be returning to Winnipeg soon and will be hosting various community events. We may have to visit her often to thank her personally for the draconian legislation that she supported to kill free collective bargaining.
Following the Glover event, other Conservative MP's in the city have closed their offices as well or have limited their office to appointments only. One has to question why you feel a need to hide from postal workers if you believe that what you did was the right thing to do.
We won't forget you!
Five members here in Winnipeg occupied the constituency office of Shelly Glover, MP for Saint Boniface and parliamentary secretary for the minister of finance starting at noon on Monday . They were joined by a jubillant group of outside protesters that stayed with them for the duration of the occupation. We also enjoyed the support of members from the Canadian Union of Public Employees, community activists and Cop Watch.
The occupation ended at 130 in the morning on Tuesday when the police moved in and asked that we leave. Everyone in our Union can be proud of these members that conducted themselves very respectfully of the constituency staff. The Winnipeg Police service remarked that they were impressed with our conduct and observed that there was no damage to any property.
Glover was not quite as impressed however. She has now closed her constituency office for the duration of our struggle and blames it on "the disruptive actions of the postal workers". Perhaps not the brightest thing to say when we know that you will be returning to Winnipeg soon and will be hosting various community events. We may have to visit her often to thank her personally for the draconian legislation that she supported to kill free collective bargaining.
Following the Glover event, other Conservative MP's in the city have closed their offices as well or have limited their office to appointments only. One has to question why you feel a need to hide from postal workers if you believe that what you did was the right thing to do.
We won't forget you!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Sooner rather than later, you will need to pick a side.
The CEOs have decided. The value of young people is lower than the value of people from my generation. You don’t deserve the same salary, even if you are better educated. You don’t deserve the same vacation time or health benefits. And you certainly don’t deserve to have the same kind of secure retirement. It’s just not in the business plan.
If you haven’t seen the official notification of this decision, you probably need to look in the business pages of your local newspaper. It was mentioned recently in the study about the massive growth of temp work in mainstream business operations. The difference in salary and benefits between a permanent employee and a contract worker averages out to 13 per cent. For a temp worker, it is a stunning 34 per cent — for doing the same work.
It has been hinted at in the stories about income inequality, as the percentage of middle-income earners shrinks while those at the bottom end multiply. Studies on immigration sometimes note that people of colour aren’t achieving earnings comparable to those who came from postwar Europe, in spite of higher education levels. Perhaps it is most openly referred to in the steady stream of articles about companies closing the door to new hires being enrolled in the standard pension plan. Instead, they get to participate in a “defined contribution plan” — a glorified group savings scheme subject to the whims of the stock market.
Sometimes the notice is right there in the headlines, except most people don’t recognize it. Like when the postal workers take strike action to oppose two-tier wages that will drop wages for new hires by $6 per hour. That’s the Canada Post CEO saying the next generation of workers deserves less for the work they do, and of course shouldn’t get a secure pension either. It’s the same story in most labour disputes these days.
The headlines paint a picture of intransigent workers who won’t wake up to the new realities and give concessions. But the reality is that workers are very clear about what those concessions mean — that their work is being devalued. The contrast between demanding working people accept less and rewarding obscene bonuses to CEOs and top managers is a stark example of the hypocrisy involved in the current “new reality.”
It doesn’t matter where you look — retail, manufacturing, IT, transportation, long-term health, universities, building services — the CEOs have pretty well succeeded in lowering the bar. At the same time, they are hoarding billions in profits instead of investing them in new production. Some of that largesse goes into their own pockets; some of it is used for takeovers and acquisitions. But in either case, working people aren’t the beneficiary of the restructuring exercise.
With millions of baby boomers retiring in the next decade, one would think that the law of supply and demand for skills would allow new employees to ask for better standards, not worse. But the CEOs already have figured out a response to that. First, the massive increase in the temporary foreign worker program has allowed entire sectors to keep wages low. And second, they have relentlessly attacked collective agreements in both the public and private sectors, resulting in many workers being thankful to keep what they have, let alone improve standards. Nobody mentions that Air Canada agents and Canada Post letter carriers earn less than the average wage in Toronto. The constant, shrill accusations are that these men and women are overpaid and need to accept even less.
That is why the anti-union rhetoric repeated daily by business think-tanks, columnists and politicians is so useful in the CEOs’ strategy. Only unions possess the power to frustrate their plans, and weakening unions is the key to lowering wages and benefits in tomorrow’s economy. The fact is the standard of living that so many take for granted was achieved through struggle. Whether by unionization or other forms of collective action such as the women’s movement, it was always opposed by the elites on Bay Street.
It is the labour movement that has advocated so strongly to improve standards for all working Canadians, as we did with the fight for maternity benefits and to increase the minimum wage. Labour is at the forefront of the efforts to improve retirement security for all. And labour continues to demand that we create a just society and economy that offers good jobs for all.
If you are under the age of 35, pay close attention. Your standard of living, and that of your children, is being decided right now in the boardroom, the workplace and even on the picket line. Sooner rather than later, you will need to pick a side.
If you haven’t seen the official notification of this decision, you probably need to look in the business pages of your local newspaper. It was mentioned recently in the study about the massive growth of temp work in mainstream business operations. The difference in salary and benefits between a permanent employee and a contract worker averages out to 13 per cent. For a temp worker, it is a stunning 34 per cent — for doing the same work.
It has been hinted at in the stories about income inequality, as the percentage of middle-income earners shrinks while those at the bottom end multiply. Studies on immigration sometimes note that people of colour aren’t achieving earnings comparable to those who came from postwar Europe, in spite of higher education levels. Perhaps it is most openly referred to in the steady stream of articles about companies closing the door to new hires being enrolled in the standard pension plan. Instead, they get to participate in a “defined contribution plan” — a glorified group savings scheme subject to the whims of the stock market.
Sometimes the notice is right there in the headlines, except most people don’t recognize it. Like when the postal workers take strike action to oppose two-tier wages that will drop wages for new hires by $6 per hour. That’s the Canada Post CEO saying the next generation of workers deserves less for the work they do, and of course shouldn’t get a secure pension either. It’s the same story in most labour disputes these days.
The headlines paint a picture of intransigent workers who won’t wake up to the new realities and give concessions. But the reality is that workers are very clear about what those concessions mean — that their work is being devalued. The contrast between demanding working people accept less and rewarding obscene bonuses to CEOs and top managers is a stark example of the hypocrisy involved in the current “new reality.”
It doesn’t matter where you look — retail, manufacturing, IT, transportation, long-term health, universities, building services — the CEOs have pretty well succeeded in lowering the bar. At the same time, they are hoarding billions in profits instead of investing them in new production. Some of that largesse goes into their own pockets; some of it is used for takeovers and acquisitions. But in either case, working people aren’t the beneficiary of the restructuring exercise.
With millions of baby boomers retiring in the next decade, one would think that the law of supply and demand for skills would allow new employees to ask for better standards, not worse. But the CEOs already have figured out a response to that. First, the massive increase in the temporary foreign worker program has allowed entire sectors to keep wages low. And second, they have relentlessly attacked collective agreements in both the public and private sectors, resulting in many workers being thankful to keep what they have, let alone improve standards. Nobody mentions that Air Canada agents and Canada Post letter carriers earn less than the average wage in Toronto. The constant, shrill accusations are that these men and women are overpaid and need to accept even less.
That is why the anti-union rhetoric repeated daily by business think-tanks, columnists and politicians is so useful in the CEOs’ strategy. Only unions possess the power to frustrate their plans, and weakening unions is the key to lowering wages and benefits in tomorrow’s economy. The fact is the standard of living that so many take for granted was achieved through struggle. Whether by unionization or other forms of collective action such as the women’s movement, it was always opposed by the elites on Bay Street.
It is the labour movement that has advocated so strongly to improve standards for all working Canadians, as we did with the fight for maternity benefits and to increase the minimum wage. Labour is at the forefront of the efforts to improve retirement security for all. And labour continues to demand that we create a just society and economy that offers good jobs for all.
If you are under the age of 35, pay close attention. Your standard of living, and that of your children, is being decided right now in the boardroom, the workplace and even on the picket line. Sooner rather than later, you will need to pick a side.
Friday, June 17, 2011
CUPW SOLIDARITY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=91zCUms-yeY#at=56
The above link is an awesome piece of art compiled by a fellow worker Letter Carrier in Winnipeg, highlighting our experiences as a local, rallying with our allies.
I would like to take this time to thank the boss for solidifying our local and allowing the members to re-discover our collective strength and many talents.Many friendships have been developed and re-discovered. I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say to you.........We couldn't have done it without you!!!!
SOLIDARITY!
Pepperspray Pattie
The above link is an awesome piece of art compiled by a fellow worker Letter Carrier in Winnipeg, highlighting our experiences as a local, rallying with our allies.
I would like to take this time to thank the boss for solidifying our local and allowing the members to re-discover our collective strength and many talents.Many friendships have been developed and re-discovered. I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say to you.........We couldn't have done it without you!!!!
SOLIDARITY!
Pepperspray Pattie
Easy way to end strikes is wrong way
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Easy way to end strikes is wrong way
Is the easiest way out also the best way out? Canadians are faced with two major work stoppages that could seriously affect the smooth operation of our daily lives. A strike of the postal employees and a lockout of some employees connected with Air Canada can undoubtedly result in disruption of these public services.
The Conservative government promptly announced that it will legislate the operations back to work because the interruption of the service will cause unacceptable harm to our economy. It is unlikely that there will be strong public criticism of the government decision although both the NDP and the Liberals have indicated they will vote against the legislation. It is a regrettable sign of our times that legislation ordering, in effect, people to work or to maintain a business operation under threat of fine or imprisonment does not result in greater concern and resistance on the part of the people concerned and on the part of civil rights advocates in general.
In the 1960s, I was deeply involved both politically and legally in court cases that resulted in judges ordering people to cease striking and to resume working. The resistance to such orders was vehement and prolonged, extending as far as the Supreme Court of Canada.
I recall telling a visiting labour lawyer from Cincinnati that a Manitoba judge had, in effect, ordered striking employees back to work.
In the most succinct and compelling comment that I have ever heard on the subject, the lawyer said: "If a judge can order a person to work, he can order them to work harder. And if they don't then he can order a sheriff to stand next to them with a whip and see to it that they work harder."
The greatest argument against back-to-work legislation is that it offends one of our basic fundamental freedoms.
Traditionally, English law would not enforce a contract for personal services by enjoining a person to work. It could and would award damages for breach of contract but it would not order the performance of personal services. To do so would be to enforce a form of slavery. The same rule would apply in Canada where an individual is concerned.
When we recognize the right to collective bargaining we implicitly recognize that the group would have the right to bargain and would be treated as if the group was an individual. That is, the group would not be ordered back to work.
Back-to-work legislation is the easy way out. But it is purchased at a huge expense. The price that we pay is freedom.
And it is not simply the freedom of the union members ordered to work that is affected. The denial of freedom to one citizen is the denial of freedom to all, and eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
If we permit the government to encroach on the liberty of some, we inadvertently accept the principal of encroachment itself, and we begin a march on the road to serfdom.
There are other ways of dealing with unacceptable work stoppages that do not involve coercive legislation. In Manitoba, we enacted legislation that prevents judges from ordering people to work.
In the eight years that I was part of that government, I never participated in passing a law terminating a strike. Indeed, there was an occasion when the minister of labour announced he would legislate against a transit strike. I promptly announced that I would not support such legislation, and the NDP caucus supported me. No such legislation was passed, and the strike was promptly settled when both sides realized the government would not get them off the hook.
There are methods of dealing with work stoppages short of legislation. If the contending parties are made aware that the government will not resolve their dispute, they will be more likely to arrive at a collective agreement. But other possibilities are available. They may not be easy. They may be condemned by the union and by management alike. But they will preserve the sanctity of the freedom of the individual. That is worth doing.
Sidney Green is a Winnipeg lawyer and former NDP cabinet minister.
The Conservative government promptly announced that it will legislate the operations back to work because the interruption of the service will cause unacceptable harm to our economy. It is unlikely that there will be strong public criticism of the government decision although both the NDP and the Liberals have indicated they will vote against the legislation. It is a regrettable sign of our times that legislation ordering, in effect, people to work or to maintain a business operation under threat of fine or imprisonment does not result in greater concern and resistance on the part of the people concerned and on the part of civil rights advocates in general.
In the 1960s, I was deeply involved both politically and legally in court cases that resulted in judges ordering people to cease striking and to resume working. The resistance to such orders was vehement and prolonged, extending as far as the Supreme Court of Canada.
I recall telling a visiting labour lawyer from Cincinnati that a Manitoba judge had, in effect, ordered striking employees back to work.
In the most succinct and compelling comment that I have ever heard on the subject, the lawyer said: "If a judge can order a person to work, he can order them to work harder. And if they don't then he can order a sheriff to stand next to them with a whip and see to it that they work harder."
The greatest argument against back-to-work legislation is that it offends one of our basic fundamental freedoms.
Traditionally, English law would not enforce a contract for personal services by enjoining a person to work. It could and would award damages for breach of contract but it would not order the performance of personal services. To do so would be to enforce a form of slavery. The same rule would apply in Canada where an individual is concerned.
When we recognize the right to collective bargaining we implicitly recognize that the group would have the right to bargain and would be treated as if the group was an individual. That is, the group would not be ordered back to work.
Back-to-work legislation is the easy way out. But it is purchased at a huge expense. The price that we pay is freedom.
And it is not simply the freedom of the union members ordered to work that is affected. The denial of freedom to one citizen is the denial of freedom to all, and eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
If we permit the government to encroach on the liberty of some, we inadvertently accept the principal of encroachment itself, and we begin a march on the road to serfdom.
There are other ways of dealing with unacceptable work stoppages that do not involve coercive legislation. In Manitoba, we enacted legislation that prevents judges from ordering people to work.
In the eight years that I was part of that government, I never participated in passing a law terminating a strike. Indeed, there was an occasion when the minister of labour announced he would legislate against a transit strike. I promptly announced that I would not support such legislation, and the NDP caucus supported me. No such legislation was passed, and the strike was promptly settled when both sides realized the government would not get them off the hook.
There are methods of dealing with work stoppages short of legislation. If the contending parties are made aware that the government will not resolve their dispute, they will be more likely to arrive at a collective agreement. But other possibilities are available. They may not be easy. They may be condemned by the union and by management alike. But they will preserve the sanctity of the freedom of the individual. That is worth doing.
Sidney Green is a Winnipeg lawyer and former NDP cabinet minister.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 17, 2011 A14
Thursday, June 16, 2011
POSTAL WORKERS ROCK THE POST IN THE PEG !!!
What a difference a threat of legislation makes!
Members of the Winnipeg Local showed up en mass today in response to the Locals call for an appropriate response to the Harper Governments threat to end free collective bargaining in our contract talks with Canada Post.
The right wing media in Canada has been suggesting through their editorial pages and eleven o’clock news clips that there is no support for a Public Post Office. They argue that the Canadian public cares little for “snail mail” and that the internet is their favored method of business and communication.
Today in Winnipeg the public proved them wrong! Led by the Winnipeg Local of CUPW, over 2500 people, representing various labour, student and citizens organizations protested Harper’s bid to force locked out CUPW members back to work.
Service workers from Air Canada, who were threatened with back to work legislation a mere twelve hours after they went on strike, joined us with enthusiasm. Hundreds of members of the Canadian Federation of Nurses’ Unions, who were holding their national convention in Winnipeg, swelled our ranks and helped re-energize our struggle against the management of Canada Post. Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Amalgamated Transit Union, the Canadian Federation of Students, and many other organizations showed their solidarity on an important day.
Today’s action followed a protest held at the Winnipeg International Airport yesterday evening. Two hundred members of the Canadian Auto Workers and CUPW stood shoulder to shoulder outside and inside the airport and sent a clear message that we stand united against the Harper agenda to break the back of organized labour.
CUPW members should be proud of their bold actions and their persistence in our fight for our health and safety, our hard earned benefits, and wages for future postal workers. We need to continue this fight with our allies. Harper must be stopped!
On behalf of The Winnipeg Local, we thank everybody who was able to attend today’s action, you have shown that the people united will never be defeated.
Solidarity!
Winnipeg Demonstration Photos!
http://www.globalwinnipeg.com/Union+workers+show+support+Winnipeg/4959847/story.html
Winnipeg Local President's Rousing Demo Speech!
GOOD AFTERNOON SISTERS & BROTHERS.
I WOULD LIKE TO START BY THANKING YOU FOR COMING OUT TODAY TO EXPRESS YOUR SOLIDARITY WITH POSTAL WORKERS AND OUR SISTERS & BROTHERS FROM AIR CANADA.
WE APPRECIATE THE PRESENCE OF OUR ALLIES FROM THE COMMUNITY AND OUR COMRADES FROM THE LABOUR MOVEMENT.
I WANT TO OPEN MY REMARKS BY CONGRATULATING MEMBERS FROM THE CANADIAN AUTO WORKERS UNION FOR THEIR COURAGEOUS DECISION TO STAND UP AND FIGHT BACK AGAINST CORPORATE GREED. AIR CANADA WOKRERS HAVE MADE MANY SACRIFICES IN THE PAST WHEN ASKED TO SUPPORT THEIR INDUSTRY AND KEEP THEIR EMPLOYER AFLOAT.
THE DEMANDS OF AIR CANADA TO TAKE AWAY MORE FROM YOU IS REPREHENSIBLE AND INTOLERABLE. POSTAL WORKERS STAND WITH YOU IN YOUR DETERMINATION TO RESIST CONCESSIONS AND ROLL-BACKS AND YOU CAN COUNT ON OUR SUPPORT IN THE STRUGGLE AHEAD.
NOW I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO OUR MEMBERS. WE ARE ENORMOUSLY PROUD OF YOUR SOLIDARITY & DISCIPLINE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. The new work methods in the plant and on the street are downright dangerous. Forced overtime and unmanageable workloads have HAD A DEBILITATING IMPACT ON YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES BUT YOU’VE STUCK TOGETHER.
YOU RESPONDED ENTHUSIATICALLY WHEN WINNIPEG WAS CALLED OUT TO BE THE FIRST CENTRE IN CANADA TO TAKE STRIKE ACTION TO TRY AND FORCE CANADA POST TO MOVE AT THE BARGAINING TABLE. AS DIFFICULT AS IT WAS, YOU RETURNED TO WORK TO SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS WHILE THE EMPLOYER COMMENCED PROVOCATION IN THE WORKPLACE. YOU RESISTED THE TEMPTATION TO WALK OUT AGAIN AND REMAINED DISCIPLINED IN SUPPORT OF THE STRATEGY OF OUR NATIONAL UNION. YOU ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE ENDURED.
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE EMPLOYER WE WORK FOR. WHERE ELSE BUT AT CANADA POST WOULD YOU WITNESS THE EVENTS THAT WE’VE WITNESSED OVER THE LAST 13 DAYS.
WE SAW THE EMPLOYER REMAIN INTRANSIGENT ON THEIR DEMAND TO ABOLISH OUR WAGE PROTECTION PROVISIONS IN THE CONTRACT WHEN WE FALL ILL OR ARE INJURED ON THE JOB. PROVSIONS WE HAVE HAD FOR OVER 40 YEARS. WHO ELSE BUT CANADA POST WOULD DEMAND TO IMPLEMENT A CHEAP LABOUR STRATEGY ON THE NEXT GENERATION OF WORKERS WHILE THEY POSTED PROFITS FOR THE PAST 16 CONSECUTIVE YEARS AND PAY OUT GOLD PLATED BONUSES TO THOSE THAT CONTRIBUTE NOTHING TO THE PROCESSING AND DELIVERY OF MAIL TO CANADIANS?
WHO ELSE BUT CANADA POST WOULD ABANDON SERVICE AND LOCK OUT LETTER CARRIERS THAT PROVIDE INVALUABLE SERVICE TO OUR RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS CUSTOMERS IN THE DOWNTOWN CORE AS THEY DID THIS TUESDAY?
WHO ELSE BUT CANADA POST WOULD THROW A TEMPER TANTRUM AND WHINE THAT AIR CANADA WAS GETTING SPECIAL LEGISLATION? WHO ELSE BUT CANADA POST WOUILD IMPOSE A NATION WIDE LOCK-OUT WHEN WORKERS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY WERE PREPARED TO DELIVER ALL THE MAIL THAT WAS TRAPPED IN THE SYSTEM? ACCORDING TO A RECENT CBC POLL OVER 60 PER CENT OF CANADIANS BELIEVE THAT CANADA POST WAS WRONG TO IMPOSE THEIR NATION WIDE LOCK-OUT.
THE PROBLEMS AT CANADA POST HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH A MANAGEMENT BODY THAT HAS FAILED IN THEIR OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE UNIVERSAL SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC. THEY ARE DAMAGING OUR PUBLIC POST OFFICE AND NEED TO BE REMOVED.
NOW TO MR. HARPER.
IT IS CLEAR WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE EVENTS THAT ARE UNFOLDING IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS OVER THE PAST 48 HOURS THAT WE ARE GETTING A TASTE OF THE EARLY STAGES OF HARPERS’ AGENDA FOR WORKING PEOPLE IN CANADA.
IT IS INCREDIBLE THAT LABOUR MINISTER RAITT RAISED BACK TO WORK LEGISLATION FOR AIR CANADA STRIKERS WHEN THEY HADN’T EVEN BEEN ON THE PICKET LINES FOR A DAY.
ITS INCREDIBLE THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO TABLE SPECIAL LEGISLATION TO END FREE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AT CANADA POST WHEN MAIL DELIVERY WAS BEING MAINTAINED ACROSS THE COUNTRY UNTIL THE LOCK OUT ON TUESDAY NIGHT.
THIS IS A SIGN THAT THIS GOVERNMENT DOES NOT RESPECT THE DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS OF CANADIANS TO BARGAIN COLLECTIVELY AND TAKE STRIKE ACTION IF NECESSARY IN ORDER TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES FROM THE GREEDY AGENDA OF BIG BUSINESS.
AS A LABOUR MOVEMENT AND AS CONCERNED CITIZENS WE MUST COMMIT TO OPPOSING THE HARPER AGENDA AND THOSE OF HIS CORPORATE BOSSES.
Symptom of a much larger malaise.
Has the internet made Canada's postal service obsolete? I don't think so.
The postal service is still the most universal, accessible, affordable, and
democratic distance-communication system we have in this country. However --
like public schools, public parks, and public health care -- it is not
essential to our most affluent citizens, and they're the ones who shape
public opinion through their newspapers, radio/television stations and, most
important, their political influence.
Not everyone has internet access. More than 3 million Canadian households
are without a home internet connection. Not included in that number are all
the men and women across Canada who are incarcerated in federal prisons and
provincial jails. They don't have internet access either. Their only
alternative to keeping in touch with their families through the mail is to
make expensive "collect" telephone calls.
One particularly positive prison program depends on the services of postal
workers. This program is known by its acronym, ChIRP, which stands for
Children of Inmates Reading Program. A volunteer records a parent reading a
carefully-selected book to his/her child. The book and CD recording are then
mailed to the child, who might live anywhere in Canada. Receiving such a
personal gift from the absent parent not only reassures the child that the
parent still cares, but also promotes a love of books and reading.
Mail service is also important to computer owners who refuse to do their
banking and bill-paying online. Who can blame them, when government and
corporate computer systems being penetrated by hackers, and we're always
being warned about the hazards of identity theft.
Not everything can be done online. Hard copies of financial and legal
documents continue to be essential; and not everything works best online.
Studies have shown that reading from a screen typically takes 25 per cent
longer than reading from a printed page. Little wonder most people still
prefer the ease and portability of paper magazines -- delivered to
subscribers through the mail. Braille and recorded materials are delivered
free to the visually-impaired. Then there are all those items people order
online that have to be delivered in person.
The Fraser Institute -- a think tank supported by tobacco and oil companies,
among other free-market interests -- says Canada Post should be privatized.
Why? Because there's money to be made, and that money could be going into
private coffers. But first, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers should be
neutralized, workers' wages and benefits reduced, and unprofitable
operations (rural and remote delivery) eliminated. As for working
conditions, the more intense the physical demands on the workers, the less
likely they are to stick around long enough to get pay increases and a
decent pension. Use 'em, abuse 'em, and lose 'em.
Canada Post's current lock out of its employees is merely one battle in a
larger war being waged against working people by the wealthiest business
magnates, whose overriding objective is to maximize their own profits.
Increasingly, Canada's wealth is being controlled by an elite few.
According to Toronto research agency Investor Economics, the richest 3.8 per
cent of Canadian households controlled 66.6 per cent of all financial wealth
(not counting real estate) by 2009, up from 60.6 per cent in 2005, just
before Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government came to power. Looking
ahead, the agency predicts the portion of financial wealth controlled by
this richest group of Canadians is headed for 70 per cent by 2018. (Les
Whittington, The Toronto Star, May 27, 2011).
Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz deplores this growing
inequality, which he sees as dangerously destabilizing.
"The more divided a society becomes in terms of wealth, the more reluctant
the wealthy become to spend money on common needs. The rich don't need to
rely on government for parks or education or medical care or personal
security -- they can buy all these things for themselves. In the process,
they become more distant from ordinary people, losing whatever empathy they
may once have had. They also worry about strong government -- one that could
use its power to adjust the balance, take some of their wealth, and invest
it for the common good." (Vanity Fair, May 2011)
Stiglitz warns that the kinds of uprisings seen recently in Egypt, Tunisia,
Syria Yemen, and Libya could be precipitated closer to home as the
middle-class standard of living is steadily eroded and citizens feel
increasingly excluded from policy decisions affecting their lives.
The current labour strife at Canada Post (and Air Canada) is a symptom of a
much larger malaise.
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