Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen said he and his party is opposed to any back-to-work legislation proposed by the Conservative government that would send the currently locked out Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) back to work.
Cullen spoke to media before heading into the House of Commons on Thursday for debate on the bill which was introduced on Monday, June 20, by Minister of Labour Lisa Raitt.
"[Back-to-work legislation] goes against all the fundamental rights of people to bargain together and try to come to an agreement with an employer," he said.
He said the NDP would be running out the clock as much as they could on the issue before MPs break for summer holidays.
"The general idea is to both embarrass and put pressure on the government to start talking with Canada Post the employer about offering a deal on the table."
The proposed bill includes wage provisions which are lower than Canada Post's last offering to the union.
Instead of a 1.9 per cent increase in wages for 2011 to 2013, then a two per cent increase in 2014, the bill proposes 1.75 per cent in 2011, 1.5 per cent in 2012, two percent in 2013, and two per cent in 2014.
"Not only is Harper picking sides but he's also low balling what these folks are going to get," said Cullen.
Cullen also said he's worried about the precedent the bill would make for future contracts.