For Immediate Release
November 27, 2024
NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) wrote the Premier today urging him to accept the offer made by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to continue delivery of socio-economic cheques during the strike.
CUPW Atlantic Branch reached out to Dinn clarifying that the government refused the offer by the union to continue the service of delivering socio-economic cheques. These cheques, including Income Support cheques, are essential for many people in the province. Instead, those in need of these cheques are expected to pick them up.
Dinn says it will be difficult for many recipients, particularly those in rural areas, and people, including seniors, with mobility issues to travel to pick up these vital cheques. He also states that having other public sector employees organize a drop-off and pick-up program undermines postal workers and would be equivalent to bringing in scab labour.
“We fear that by having other public sector employees do this work through drop-off and pick-up programs, your government is asking other workers to scab,” Dinn wrote. “Although your government has so far refused to bring in anti-scab legislation, we urge you to respect the constitutional right of workers to strike and refrain from undermining their efforts to secure a just and fair deal.
“I urge you to accept CUPW’s offer. People will get the payments they rely on, and you will have demonstrated your respect for the employees who make our mail delivery system work.”
A copy of the letter follows.
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For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca
Premier Andrew Furey
Office of the Premier
PO Box 8700
St John’s, NL A1B 4J6
November 27, 2024
Premier Furey,
Striking postal workers have indicated their willingness to continue delivering cheques from government to residents receiving socio-economic assistance, such as Income Support. The federal government, Ontario, and Quebec have already taken up the offer. The NL NDP Caucus was therefore deeply concerned to hear from the CUPW Atlantic Branch that your government refused the offer to continue this service during the strike.
I am mystified as to why, and I urge you to reconsider your decision. We are less than a month from Christmas and people are stressed enough as it is without having to worry about whether or not they will receive their cheques. In the absence of postal service, you will presumably require people to go to government centres to pick up their cheques or have them couriered to people.
The first option presents an enormous challenge to those with mobility issues or who do not have affordable and convenient transportation. Your refusal of help from Canada Post and its striking workers only makes life more difficult for people already facing heavy burdens in their lives. The latter option will be significantly more costly than mailing out the cheques. On the other hand, postal workers know the routes and have offered to deliver the cheques as a gesture of good will. This will be more convenient, efficient, and significantly cheaper than either of the options you are considering.
Moreover, we fear that by having other public sector employees do this work through drop-off and pick-up programs, your government is asking other workers to scab. Although your government has so far refused to bring in anti-scab legislation, we urge you to respect the constitutional right of workers to strike and refrain from undermining their efforts to secure a just and fair deal.
Postal workers will soon be delivering children’s Santa Claus letters. If nothing else, this is indicative of their professionalism and commitment to their community. Again, I urge you to accept CUPW’s offer. People will get the payments they rely on, and you will have demonstrated your respect for the employees who make our mail delivery system work.
Sincerely,
Jim Dinn
M.H.A., St. John’s Centre
Leader, NL NDP
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