CUPW Postal Workers Strike & The Fight Against Privatization

Mail deliveries in Canada have been disrupted after postal workers across the country walked off the job. The strike comes after the Canadian government authorized widespread reforms to Canada Post that would shut post offices and end door-to-door deliveries for millions of people. The government intends to replace postal workers with community mailboxes, speed up deliveries using subcontracted gig labour, and quietly hand over profitable routes to private couriers. Far more than a fight for improved wages and improved working conditions, the strike is about the rights of Canadians to good public services, and about resisting the destruction of good unionized jobs through privatization. This strike comes alongside other action across Canada to fight increasing privatization of public services.  To discuss all of this, the CUPW strike, the fight to protect public services and public service workers, and what is at stake if we lose Canada Post, Spring member Hiva sat down in Hamilton with CUPW members Dawnie, Kevin, and Karl. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to discuss these ideas in person, as well as learn new ones and connect with other socialists from across Canada, please join us at the TMU student centre in Toronto from the 24th to 26th of October for Spring's annual Red October conference. Red October is a whole weekend of socialist ideas and strategy, with more than 25 sessions spread over six courses. Click this link to get your tickets - redoctober.ca This podcast was recorded on the traditional territory of many nations including Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. It was produced by Carlie Macfie, Hiva Nematollahi and Josh Frame, with original music by Benjamin Bilgen. To read and listen to more from Spring, and to find out how to join the Spring Socialist Network, please go to SpringMag.ca.