Hands off our post office campaign has legs

For a few months now, CUPW has been campaigning to ensure that postal workers and the public understand what the Canada Post Corporation Strategic Review (CPCSR) could mean for the future of universal public postal service in our country. We have tried to reach everyone.

We have distributed bulletins, fact sheets and postcards to members. The union also sent information about the review to the labour movement, other allies, municipalities and members of Parliament when it became clear that the government and CPCSR did not intend on publicizing the review, to any great extent, or holding public hearings. To date, hundreds of people and groups have responded by sending submissions to the CPCSR. Most of them are very concerned about the possibility of deregulation.

As well, the union sent opinion pieces about the strategic review to community newspapers across the country. As a result, one paper or another has published our opinion piece or related articles almost everyday for last two months.

CUPW also published a ‘Wanted’ ad in the Hill Times, an Ottawa-based paper that focuses on parliamentary issues, which asks people to call us if they see Lawrence Cannon, Minister Responsible for Canada Post. We have asked for a meeting with Minister Cannon over ten times since he was elected but he won’t meet with us to discuss important postal issues such as rural delivery, the exclusive privilege and the strategic review. Cannon’s office has requested our letters as a result of the ad. We have sent the letters and requested a meeting  for the 11^th time.

We have also produced a video called Postal Deregulation: Absolutely Rubbish to publicize problems associated with deregulation. You can see the video by going to Youtube or the union’s website. You can also see some wonderful videos produced by CUPW members by searching for “Canada Post strategic review” on Youtube.

As you know, submissions to the strategic review are due by September 2, 2008. CUPW will deliver a national submission to the CRCSR on this day and issue a media release. Once submissions are in, we intend to get ready for any negative recommendations that the strategic review advisory panel may make on deregulation, our jobs and other key issues. The advisory panel will report to the federal government in December 2008.  Between now and December, CUPW will mobilize members, allies and the public to talk to members of Parliament (MPs) about opposing postal deregulation and supporting our vision of a universal, public post service.

The union is organizing ten days of action in connection with the review in October. Watch the bulletin board for upcoming news on the ten days of action.