Strike victims strike back: A Quebec court has ordered the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to pay $1,000 to Santana Inc. of Sherbrooke, Que., for damages arising out of the 16-day illegal postal strike in April, 1974. The company uses a mail order system and the strike cost it almost $100,000 in lost sales. Borrowing from the bank to finance day-to-day operations, using costly courier, telephone and telegraph services to replace the non-existent mail — small business people across Canada know the story too well. 

After the strike, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business launched a $100 million class action suit against the federal government on behalf of its members to recover damages similar to Santana’s. Although the action was dismissed, the public outcry that arose from it persuaded the government to announce a “get tough” policy with public servants who engage in illegal strikes.

The mail is vital. Moreover, the mailman is a friend. All except a tiny minority of post office employees want to make the service work the way it’s supposed to.

The Post Office has been dogged by poor management, high turnover, antiquated facilities, technological change, union rivalry and, in many instances, irresponsible union leadership. Worse, the key post of postmaster general has been used as a stepping stone for ambitious politicians, so that until recently it has been deprived, at the top, of concerned, consistent political leadership. Now Postmaster General Bryce Mackasey is doing his best to remedy these past failures. His strongest ally is the public to which he owes his duty. He deserves our support.