Content highlights for this edition:

1. Arbitration 2020
2. Unions & Anti-Racism
3. Direct Action Delivers Depot 2 Parking
4. Attacking The Trades In Alberta (CESSCO Pickets)
5. Kenney's War On Unions

We have staffing issues in the plant, constant bullying and harassment throughout our workfloors, wage stagnation, unequal pay for the RSMCs, and an astronomical injury rate among letter carriers. And instead of dealing with any of these things... CPC puts up a banner. I don’t want your praise. I want a raise. I don’t need a cape. I need a contract!

Before you dig into this issue, please be aware that it was nearly on its way to the printer the week C19 hit Alberta. Much has happened since, but we've decided to publish the issue we have ready. Highlights include:

1. Job action reports
2. Organizing campaign updates
3. New Exec members say hello

In our Dec 2019 issue, a bully supervisor was called out. In response, EMPP management began confiscating any issues left lying around, claiming that the article bullied CPC. The cover of this month's issue is a tribute to CPCs complete obliviousness. Instead of wasting time collecting, and throwing away our newsletter, CPC should spend more time addressing the behavior of their supervisor.....

Excerpt from an anti-union cynic who became an activist: "[As our jobs got worse] where was our Union in all this? ...it appeared CUPW – tasked with helping, defending, and representing us – was the worst offender of all. They emulated CPCs worst as they consolidated power in a select few, embraced passivity cloaked as cooperation, and acted unilaterally - if they acted at all."

Open letter excerpt to the National Exec: "There can be no denying that the size and power of our movement has been in steady decline for the past 40-years. Some of this has been attributed to changes in industry, but if we’re being honest with ourselves it has more to do with our unwillingness to strategically counter the aggression and ruthlessness of employers and government."

The problem is obvious: no matter what we do, the government will always legislate us back to work if we represent a threat. The question we'll pose to members is simple: if you knew National leadership would protect you from the legislation fines and if you knew that a solid majority of the Edmonton local would support you, would you be willing to defy back-to-work legislation?

May 1st, Edmonton carriers at the Downtown and Rosedale depots confronted management over being forced to deliver a non-essential commercial flyer to all points of call regardless of the homeowner’s wishes. This issue, while small on its own, was the straw that broke the camel’s back, as we felt CPC had reached too far and was asking too much of an already strained workforce.

I was disappointed we didn't defy back-to-work legislation. Months have passed and my disappointment remains. Like everyone else, I was tired and wanted it to be over, but being legislated didn't magically make our injuries stop or prevent unpaid work. What it did do was further the false narrative that CUPW and CPC are equals: two groups of equal power who just couldn’t get along.