Conservative Postal Bill Attacks Young Workers

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 24, 2011) - The Conservative government is siding with Canada Post to attack young workers and their retirement security, says Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Georgetti was responding to back-to-work legislation introduced into the House of Commons to force a settlement on the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), whose members were locked out by their employer on June 14. "This legislation, if passed, will move Canada Post one step closer to dismantling decent wages for young workers and it will put their future retirement security up for grabs. This is shameful and a fundamental violation of the right to free collective bargaining."

Canada Post wants to introduce lower wage rates for new employees and to roll back future pension benefits. The government has taken an added draconian step by legislating wage increases that are even lower than those last proposed by the company in negotiations. "The Conservatives have stacked the deck in favour of the employer," Georgetti says. "I am asking the Prime Minister to withdraw the legislation. He should not be helping Canada Post achieve through legislation what it could not get through collective bargaining."

Georgetti applauded the Official Opposition New Democrats for doing everything they can to stall the legislation. "The NDP is defending working people and free collective bargaining. Prime Minister Harper has shown his spots and he is firmly onside with employers. "He should send his Crown Corporation back to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair agreement," Georgetti adds.

The Canadian Labour Congress, the national voice of the labour movement, represents 3.2 million Canadian workers. The CLC brings together Canada's national and international unions along with the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 130 district labour councils. Web site: www.canadianlabour.ca