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Under the direction of Deepak Chopra, an appointee of the Harper government, the Crown corporation has adopted a reckless agenda of both attacking its workers and promoting privatization. — Larry Brown, National President-elect NUPGE
Ottawa (6 July 2016) — The incoming National President of the National Union of Public and General Employees, Larry Brown, has written Prime Minister Trudeau urging action on the impending lockout of Canada Post employees. The letter also calls for the Prime Minister to take the necessary steps to remove Canada Post CEO Deepak Chopra.
Harper government agenda
In his letter Brown states that it is "clear that the management at Canada Post is attempting to force unnecessary concessions on its workers and retirees. Under the direction of Deepak Chopra, an appointee of the Harper government, the Crown corporation has adopted a reckless agenda of both attacking its workers and promoting privatization."
"Chopra has worked to diminish Canada Post by cutting services to rural communities and eliminating door-to-door delivery—and has pushed for these while ignoring proposals, such as postal banking, that would expand the crown corporation’s services."
Management fighting against pay equity—wants to cut pension
Brown says that "equally upsetting is the refusal by management at Canada Post to adopt pay equity provisions for its female-dominated workforce of rural carriers. The denial of pay equity combined with the attack on the members’ pension plan paints a picture of a bargaining agenda that is hostile to the workers and their union. "
NUPGE thinks that as long as Chopra, and many of the other Harper government appointees, are in charge at Canada Post, there will be no progress made in labour relations.
Lack of vision and leadership
Brown also thinks that Chopra "has shown no vision or leadership for the public service and instead has primarily played the role of wrecking ball. Viable and progressive changes have been proposed for our national postal service. Sadly, Mr. Chopra has shown no interest in improving or expanding on the services delivered by Canada Post."
In the fall of 2015, Prime Minister Trudeau had requested that Chopra voluntarily resign. Brown points out that Chopra "has ignored your request. It is time for action."
More information
Friends of Public Services - Chopra Resign
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE