My Father was a Postal Worker

Next Year Country

Some women worked as letter carriers, the best paid postal jobs, during the first World War. In 1947 the Canadian Post Office fired all the women workers who had been hired as carriers and clerks to make room for male veterans. In 1964 the only woman carrier had her career cut short when she was fired due to her gender. Some postal workers supported the employer's decision. Today the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is seen as a leader on "women's issues.

Some women worked as letter carriers, the best paid postal jobs, during the first World War. In 1947 the Canadian Post Office fired all the women workers who had been hired as carriers and clerks to make room for male veterans. In 1964 the only woman carrier had her career cut short when she was fired due to her gender. Some postal workers supported the employer's decision. Today the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is seen as a leader on "women's issues.

Like many WW2 veterans, my father obtained employment with the federal public service. The federal government had learned important lessons of discontented veterans from WW1. The Winnipeg General Strike, which included many war veterans, had reflected this discontent.

Where you got placed in the postal service depended on your rank in the service. The post office ended up being military-like hierarchical organization. Being a letter carrier was better than being inside where management was over your shoulder all the time. But even letter carriers became subjected to time-studied Taylorist human resources. Their limited autonomy was increasingly pressed upon.

In the 1960s, my father delivered mail 6 days a week, including Saturday. Only by going on strike with other postal workers did he obtain a 5 day week and decent pay and benefits that provided for our family.

Let`s support our postal workers. This means supporting working class families and our future.

From Larry Hubich, SFL President:

I have been advised that the members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) will be on rotating strike in Regina commencing tonight at 8:00 pm. (Sunday, June 12, 2011) for 24 hours

Please come out and support our sisters and brothers on the line at Canada Post.

In Solidarity,

Larry

Memory and Muscle - CUPW History