Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

MONTREAL — Canada Post employees demonstrated in Montreal on Monday in a show of protest against their employer’s latest contract offer. The workers are members of the Union of Postal Communications Employees (UPCE) — a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

“The employer’s last offer is an insult. We have no choice but to take a strike vote and to move our members towards strike action,” says Richard Des Lauriers, UPCE National President. Des Lauriers was speaking at the demonstration in front of Canada Post’s Montreal plant.

The protest comes in response to a “take it or leave it” offer tabled by Canada Post on August 21. Des Lauriers characterizes the employer’s behaviour as “completely unacceptable” and warned that his members will not be bullied into accepting concessions.

“We are determined to get the best possible deal for our members,” says Des Lauriers, reminding the members that they can count on support from the labour movement and from their fellow workers at Canada Post.

John Gordon, National President of the PSAC, addressed the delegates at the convention. He said that PSAC will commit all resources necessary to ensure effective strike action by UPCE members should they choose to strike.

“We will not let our UPCE sisters and brothers fight alone against Canada Post,” Gordon said. “As PSAC members, they can count on the solidarity of workers all over Canada,” he added.

Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) National President Denis Lemelin also attended the demonstration. Speaking for the almost 60,000 CUPW members who work at Canada Post, Lemelin said that his members are ready and willing to help their UPCE sisters and brothers.

Delegates to the UPCE national convention — which took place in Montreal from September 27 to 30 ­— took part in the demonstration and demanded that Canada Post return to the bargaining table with a better offer.

The UPCE negotiating team will seek a strike mandate in an effort to force Canada Post to modify its latest offer. The strike vote will be held in all regions of the country starting Wednesday, October 1, 20008.