Government introduces back-to-work legislation to end postal lockout
Posted Jun 20, 2011 11:17:37 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – Back-to-work legislation to end the Canada Post lockout was introduced in Parliament on Monday.
Federal Labour Minister Lisa Raitt signalled last week the bill was coming and introduced it after question period.
Raitt told 680News she felt the action was necessary.
“We’re acting on the best interest of Canadians and the national economy and that is what’s needed. Certainty and immediacy in returning the mail,” said Raitt.
The bill will likely take until Thursday to work its way through the House of Commons and into law.
The NDP is expected to challenge the bill and to filibuster as long as it can.
Meanwhile, Canada Post spokesperson John Hamilton said both sides will be back at the bargaining table again, Monday.
“The best outcome out of all of this is a negotiated settlement; we still have time to do that,” Hamilton said.
However, Denis Lemelin, president of the 48,000 Canadian Union of Postal Workers, sounded almost resigned that a negotiated deal is not in the cards.
“The real negotiation between Canada Post and the union is finished because the fact that the government decides to step in and rescue [Canada Post] in some way,” Lemelin said.
Just blocks away from Parliament Hill, postal workers held signs, blew whistles and played loud music in protest over the legislation.
Gord Fisher, one of CUPW’s national directors, told 680News he is upset with the government.
“I don’t’ think it’s fair to the workers. I don’t think it’s fare to the collective bargaining process. Legislation was unnecessary,” Fisher said.
The union also plans to rally in Ottawa, protesting the legislation that will likely get them back on the job by the end of the week.
