Union rep 'appalled' by decision to pass legislation to end postal strike

The localhead of the union representing striking postal workers is "appalled" by a senate decision to pass a Liberal government legislation to force Canada Post employees back to work.

The move was quickly given royal assentby the governor general, which means postal workers are now mandated to go back to work as early as Tuesday afternoon.

"I'm totally appalled by the decision. I feel that the legislation is unjust," said Karen Finlay-Russell, whoheads the London local of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).

She said forcing workers back to workthis time of year could result in workplace injuries and health and safety risks.

"This ends up being the most dangerous time because people are working faster, they're working harder and out in the dark."

She said there could be about 300 injuries and half a million dollars worth of unpaid hours to rural and suburban mail carriersduring the time before Christmas.

Pressure from members

A group of striking postal workers had occupied a mail sorting facility in London Monday to pressure senators to block back-to-work legislation.

Starting at about 5 a.m., a group of workers carrying signs gathered outside the sorting facility on Waterman Avenue. No trucks were allowed in or out of the facility, located off Wellington Road just south of Commissioners Road.

On Friday, Finlay-Russell joined a group of postal workerswho staged a protestat the office of London West Liberal MP Kate Young.

Canada Post officials hadwarned that a long backlog has built up at many Canadian sorting centres. Finlay-Russell, however, believes that any backlog could be cleared in a few days.

CUPW's 50,000 members are demanding better pay for rural and suburban carriers, more job security and minimum guaranteed hours.