Union Solidarity in the Face of Corporate Hypocrisy

STATEMENT FROM NSFL SECRETARY-TREASURER MELISSA MARSMAN – As the strike at Canada Post stretches into its third week, corporate Canada has spent little time making its grievances heard in the media. Business leaders lament their dwindling profits and harp on the disruption to their operations, citing how Canada Post, a public service, delivers superior affordability and efficiency compared to private-sector alternatives. The irony is palpable. The same voices now extolling the virtues of this public institution are those who, for years, championed its dismantling in favour of privatization.

It begs the question: was their narrative about private-sector efficiency ever genuine, or is this newfound appreciation for Canada Post an admission that their arguments were baseless? Time and again, businesses and their right-wing allies have peddled the myth that private enterprises could seamlessly outperform public services. Yet, when push comes to shove, they lean on the public systems they sought to erode.

But what’s conspicuously absent from these media narratives is any recognition of the sacrifices made by the 55,000 Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) members. These workers have historically stood at the forefront of battles that have improved the lives of all Canadians. Take maternity benefits, a fundamental right today, because postal workers fought for them through strike action. Without their courage and resolve, such benefits might remain a pipe dream.

Now, these postal workers are again on the picket lines, fighting for fair pensions, safer working conditions, and wages that keep pace with inflation. Their struggle isn’t just for themselves; it raises the bar for workers across all sectors. Every gain they achieve has ripple effects, empowering others to demand better. Yet, media coverage seldom highlights these broader societal benefits.

Adding insult to injury, Canada Post resorted to layoffs during the strike as an unmistakable intimidation tactic. Workers, already sacrificing their pay to stand up for their rights, are further penalized by losing access to benefits. While unions often shoulder benefits costs during strikes, the employer’s decision to cut them off underscores a callous disregard for the workforce.

It’s also worth reiterating that Canada Post operates without taxpayer funding, an important fact often overlooked in the rush to vilify striking workers. The hypocrisy of corporate stakeholders who now clamour for back-to-work legislation is staggering. They’re desperate to harness the efficiency of a public service they’ve spent years undermining.

In 2025, it’s unfathomable that workers must still resort to strikes to secure fundamental rights like fair wages, safe workplaces, and inflation-adjusted pay. Yet here we are, witnessing another chapter in the ongoing struggle for labour dignity. The courage of CUPW members in facing these challenges deserves not just our respect but our unwavering support. Their fight is ours, and their victories pave the way for a more equitable future for all workers.

Solidarity with CUPW isn’t just a gesture; it’s a commitment to the principles of justice and fairness that every worker deserves.