Northern MPs voice support for striking postal workers
Bérubé, Idlout say they do not want back-to-work legislation imposed
Nunavut NDP MP Lori Idlout, left, and Bloc Québécois MP Sylvie Bérubé, who represents Nunavik, say they support Canada Post workers on strike and do not believe the federal government should legislate them back to work. (Photos by Arty Sarkisian and Jeff Pelletier)
Updated Nov. 21 at 11:15 a.m.
Nearly a week into the strike at Canada Post, two northern MPs are voicing support for workers and say the federal government should not use back-to-work legislation to get the mail moving again.
Unionized Canada Post workers across much of the country went on strike Nov. 15, shutting down operations and halting mail and parcel services.
While the strike does not apply to workers in Nunavut or Nunavik — who are not part of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and bargain through their own union — mail service in the North is affected.
Nunavik’s Bloc Québécois MP Sylvie Bérubé said it is imperative the ongoing negotiations between Canada Post and its 55,000 unionized workers proceed quickly and in good faith.
“As an MP, I want to affirm my support for the workers in our region and beyond of Canada,” Bérubé said in an emailed statement to Nunatsiaq News.
“The right to strike is a fundamental right that must be respected, as it allows employees to voice their concerns and legitimate demands.”
She said special legislation forcing workers back on the job often exacerbates tensions and fails to address the root cause of conflicts, and she encourages a solution that benefits both parties.
Nunavut NDP MP Lori Idlout said she supports the postal workers and believes their demands should be met.
“I think that for Nunavut, the Canada Post services are such a lifeline that we need to make sure that Nunavummiut are getting their mail. But we need to make sure the postal workers are getting what they’re asking for,” Idlout said in an interview.
“They deserve what they’re seeking and are an important and essential service, and I think that not respecting their demands is just another failure of this Liberal government.”
The federal government has appointed a special mediator to assist with negotiations.
In the postal workers strike, wages are the main issue. As of Nov. 15, Canada Post was offering an 11.5 per cent increase over four years and the union was seeking 22 per cent over four years.
Note: This article was updated to clarify MPs Lori Idlout and Sylvie Bérubé do not support back-to-work legislation
“Bérubé, Idlout say they do want back-to-work legislation imposed”
next sentence”
“Nearly a week into the strike at Canada Post, two northern MPs are voicing support for workers and say the federal government should not use back-to-work legislation to get the mail moving again.”
Which is it? This is brutal.
I think you should re-read the article, you missed some. the line you referenced clearly says “Bérubé, Idlout say they do not want back-to-work legislation imposed”
The article was updated after the comment was made.
“Note: This article was updated to clarify MPs Lori Idlout and Sylvie Bérubé do not support back-to-work legislation”
The story when published did not include “NOT” in the sentence. You did not read the foot note at the end of the story.
I think you are the one who should read the entire story including foot notes.
Canada post is on there way to bankruptcy do to greed of unions and don’t want to catch up the times by working weekends like many of us have to. Did ther warn any of us when they took our money and we trusted that are parcels would arrive. They to my money and the next day announced this three day warning to strike b.s knowing the exact time of year when we relly on them the most. Times they are changing get with the program
Haha imagine
Who?
The Northern MP… and some other person named Sylvie