The Castlegar local of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) wants to express our heartfelt gratitude to the citizens and the labour movement of this area for the support, good wishes and donations of food during the recent lockout of workers by our employer, Canada Post Corporation. We were overwhelmed by your generosity and solidarity.
We especially want to thank our sisters and brothers in the various unions who expressed their solidarity in our struggle, and in particular the members of the Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers who stood with us every step of the way. We will stand with you when your time comes. We want to thank Kel Print for the great banner they produced on very short notice. We will carry it with us for many years to come. Thank you to MLA Katrine Conroy and her staff for all their support and assistance.
We would also like to thank our MP Alex Atamanenko and his staff for their extraordinary effort and support. Alex has always been a strong defender of the postal service and in the face of Bill C-6, he and the Official Opposition defended workers' rights to bargain with integrity and vigour. We will never forget the efforts made on our behalf.
CUPW is committed to defending the public postal service and fighting for good jobs in the community. Everyone benefits when workers earn a decent living with benefits because those workers can support local businesses and services. Everyone also benefits when democratic rights and freedoms are respected and not undermined by governments. We know these rights are fragile and, more than ever, we are committed to defending them.
/Submitted by Castlegar CUPW president Peter Hawkins