The Canadian Printing Industries Association (CPIA) has urged the federal government to table and pass back to work legislation as quickly as possible. "We are hopeful that they will heed the suggestions we are making," says CPIA president Bob Elliott.
On Tuesday, June 14, Canada Post locked out 50,000 employees and suspended operations across the country, following 12 days of rotating strikes. The situation has escalated further still, after the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced on Friday that it would stop accepting all mail destined to Canada.
"I am hearing from a growing number of members that they have already laid off staff with more layoffs to come over the coming days if something isn't done soon," says CPIA president Bob Elliott. "We have communicated with the appropriate Ministers responsible for such legislation and are hopeful that they will heed the suggestions we are making."
The Canadian Printing Industries Association (CPIA) is the national voice of the pre-press, press and allied printing industries in Canada. Since 1939, the Association has served as the collective body to represent the interests of its member firms for policy formation, regulation and legislation.
"We also urge all members of our industry (owners and employees alike) to write their local Member of Parliament to do the same," said Elliott. "The government needs to understand that this is impacting more Canadians than CUPW members."
A recent press release from Canada Post has revealed that the rotating strikes, which began on June 3, have so far cost the organization close to $100 million in lost revenues. "The union continues to have too many demands that would drive up costs, limit operational flexibility and restrict Canada Post's ability to address fundamental problems such as declining mail volumes, competitiveness and a $3.2 billion deficit in the pension plan," said the statement.
In order to find your MP's email address, go to www.parl.gc.ca and do a search using the available tool.
UPDATE: On Monday, the Harper government introduced back-to-work legislation to end the Canada Post labour dispute. It is prepared to limit debate in Parliament to get the bill passed into law as early as this week. Read more from the National Post here.
