Marathon debate continues over Canada Post lock-out
Politicians have been debating back-to-work legislation in Canada’s Parliament through the night without a break, as the government seeks to force a resumption of Canada Post operations. Yesterday saw the Conservative government securing a motion to keep debate on “An Act to provide for the resumption and continuation of postal services” going until it is passed by the House of Commons.
Opposition lawmakers pledged to delay the legislation as long as possible, objecting to provisions of the bill that would force a collective bargaining agreement between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers based on wage increases lower than those offered by Canada Post.
Members of Parliament have been taking shifts to continue the debate, with members in the centre-left New Democratic Party making long speeches to prolong proceedings.
This afternoon, junior minister Kellie Leitch insisted the opposition could end the debate by simply agreeing to a vote.
NDP opponents have accused the government of turning the postal conflict into an ideological battle by cracking down on the union, and are viewing the debate as having wider implications on the labour movement in Canada.
They have accused ministers of a “secret agreement” with Canada Post to lock out its workers in order to engineer lower wages via back-to-work legislation.
Leitch said the Canadian public was on the government’s side in wanting to restart postal operations, particularly with small businesses suffering under the national postal lock-out, which has been in place since June 15.
“As long as it takes”
“NDP members will debate this as long as it takes,” said the NDP’s Charlie Angus. “If the Conservatives get away with this one, we will see them go after every collective agreement. Every time there is a strike, we will see them go after the fundamental rights of pensions and defined benefits plans, so we have to stop them.”
It is thought the debate could drag on for days, with the bill still requiring the Senate’s approval before it could become law, restarting Canada Post’s activities.
The legislation being debated, which was introduced into Canada’s Parliament on Monday, seeks terms for a four-year contract for the CUPW’s 48,000 members, based on annual wage increases of 1.75% in the first year, 1.9% in the second, and 2% in each of the last two years up to January 2015.
An arbitrator would be appointed to determine the details of working conditions within such a contract.
Labour minister Lisa Raitt said in the debate: “With respect to the wages, we believe these wages are fair. They are wages that have been negotiated within collective bargaining processes both in the federal service as well as in the private sector. They match what has been going on in industry. These are good increases that would happen over four years.”
