ON SATURDAY EVENING, June 25, in spite of the mass protest actions of workers from coast to coast and 58 hours of filibustering in Parliament by the NDP opposition, the Harper government passed Bill C-6, the back-to-work legislation criminalizing the just struggle of the postal workers. It was passed in the House of Commons by a vote of 158-113. Among other things, it imposes arbitration by final offer selection, meaning the arbitrator must choose in whole either the final offer of Canada Post or that of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). It spells out wage scales that are inferior to those Canada Post itself offered. It also sets out huge fines for individual workers and the union if the legislation is defied.

The Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) condemns the Harper government’s back-to-work legislation against the postal workers. This legislation is clearly intended to impose Canada Post’s “Modern Post” which will not only destroy the public post office but imposes unacceptable working conditions on postal workers. These working conditions are unacceptable precisely because they are unsustainable. The level of injuries the postal workers are sustaining is a blatant abuse of power on the part of Canada Post and must be deemed a criminal offence. It is a real degeneration of the role of government to impose such plans of the monopolies on the workers. It shows the danger this government poses to all working Canadians.

The Senate, which has been called into session at 11 am today, is expected to pass the Bill today. The law will come into force twenty-four hours after it receives royal assent.

Denounce the Harper Government’s Goon Enforcer Role!

No to Back-to-Work Legislation Against the Postal Workers!

Build the Workers’ Opposition to End the Anti-Social Offensive!