Multi-union protest outside Canada Post Mississauga facility ends

By News Staff

A protest that stopped mail from flowing in and out of Canada Post’s Mississauga facility Saturday has ended.

CUPE and OPSEU members as well as several other union groups blocked the entrance of the facility as part of a day of action called for by Delivering Community Power, a coalition of various Canadian union and advocacy groups.

Earlier in the day Canada Post said the protesters were violating a court order.

Postal workers were on rotating strikes for six weeks before being forced back to work by the Liberal government on Nov. 28.

“We believe in a principle, that working people should be treated fairly, that collective agreements matter, that the right to strike matters, that our constitution matters,” said CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn. “What is wonderful is, even though it is not coordinated in any way, people are all saying the same thing across our country, enough is enough.”

CUPE said similar protests were scheduled at facilities across the country, allowing workers to enter, but not letting mail out of the plants.

Canada Post said the picketers were in violation of a court order which prevents blockading of its facilities, saying it will take will take appropriate actions to address this “illegal activity.”

The injunctions were granted by courts in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, prohibiting anyone from obstructing or interfering with people or vehicles entering or exiting its facilities.

“This activity has been undertaken by persons who are not employees of Canada Post and have no affiliation with the company,” read a statement from the corporation. “The protesters are in violation of the Court Order. We will take all appropriate action to address illegal activity impacting the collection and delivery of mail and parcels to Canadians.”

At around 11 a.m. enforcement officers from the Ministry of the Attorney General arrived to read the injunction order to the picketers and request that they remove the barricades.

When asked by CityNews if they would be calling on police to make arrests and remove the protesters, Canada Post said they would ask police for assistance and consider all available legal options.

Peel Regional Police said they were monitoring the situation and that their main goal was the keep the peace and protect public safety. They noted that the breach of court order is not enforced by police but rather the Sheriff and the courts.

Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report

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