Protesters support workers, block mail
Dozens of protesters gathered at the B.C. legislature in support of postal workers on Saturday, as others blocked mail from moving in and out of one of the country’s busiest postal hubs.
Canada Post said protesters rallying outside the facility in Mississauga, Ont., are violating a court order, and the Crown corporation is “considering all available legal options.”
The protesters are largely members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, acting in solidarity with postal workers who were legislated back to work last week.
The back-to-work legislation was passed on Monday, following weeks of rotating strikes by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
CUPE said 19 protests are scheduled across the country this weekend, including in Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna and Prince George. Demonstrators near postal facilities will allow workers to enter but not let mail out of the plants, it said.
The Ontario branch of CUPE said protesters in Mississauga have been served with an injunction, but they still planned to demonstrate in solidarity with the postal workers.
In a statement Saturday afternoon, Canada Post said it had contacted police and is considering its options to deal with the demonstrations.
“We have contractual commitments to our customers, as well as statutory obligations to ensure important mail is being received by all Canadians,” the Crown corporation said.
“We have asked the police for assistance and we are considering all available legal options.”
Injunctions were also granted by courts in Alberta and British Columbia, prohibiting anyone from obstructing or interfering with people or vehicles entering or exiting Canada Post facilities.