June 21 is National Aboriginal Day. This is an opportunity for CUPW members to send strong messages to both Canada Post and the Harper Government.

Stop changing the way postal service is offered in Aboriginal communities

Tell Canada Post to conduct an audit of all postal services offered to Aboriginal people and consult with aboriginal organizations and the postal unions to improve service offerings and properly utilize CPC facilities on reserves.

Currently, the Canada Post Corporation (CPC) is changing the way postal services are offered in Aboriginal communities. As a result, some Aboriginal reserves now lack postal services entirely. In other communities the level of service has been sharply reduced, i.e. the residents do not have the ability to send parcels via Canada Post.

Hire more Aboriginal workers

CUPW has been meeting with Canada Post for several years to work on recruiting more Aboriginal workers. This arose out of the reality that Canada Post has not met their Aboriginal Hiring goals outlined by the Federal Employment equity Act.

These meetings have resulted in some Aboriginal workers being hired, but not enough. We need to pressure CPC to increase the number of Aboriginal people working at Canada Post.

Tell Stephen Harper that apologies are not enough

CUPW is asking people to sign these postcards.

Ask for a copy of this postcard from your shop steward or a member of your Local Human Rights Committee.

CUPW celebrates June 21 as National Aboriginal Day. I urge you to take time to learn more about Aboriginal history, and reflect on how you can support fellow Aboriginal union members in the quest for dignity and justice in our union, workplaces and communities.