OPSEU stands in strong solidarity with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and its 50,000 striking members, and condemns the Trudeau government’s attempt to illegally end the strike with back-to-work legislation.
“It’s not complicated: Canadians have a constitutional right to strike,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “The federal Liberals are stripping those rights and it will only end up costing Canadians millions in unnecessary legal fees.
“Instead of enriching a few lawyers, we’re demanding that Trudeau do the right thing and address the unfair and unsafe working conditions CUPW members face every day.”
Thomas applauds CUPW’s determination to fight the back-to-work legislation.
OPSEU launched its own charter challenge of back-to-work legislation after the provincial government stripped college faculty members’ rights by forcing an end to their 2017 strike over pay equity and rampant precarious work.
“When governments strip some Canadians of their rights, they strip all Canadians of their rights,” said Thomas. “But Canadians can count on strong, democratic unions like OPSEU and CUPW to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight for what’s right.”