Many of us talk about whether or not the strike was preventable. Somebody just faulted the Tories for an earlier strike. We all know about it. Now they are all excited. I will wait until they settle down.
For seven months they have been at the table. What happened? At the end of seven months they have the gall to say it is about time for back to work legislation. My experience at the negotiating table tells me that if they are at that point at seven months the light should not come on now. It should come on well before that, long before that. They know what the issues at the table are. It does not take seven months to know the issues.
It was interesting to hear a member opposite talk about final offer arbitration. He essentially said that we could not do that with the postal service because the issues were so different. He really does not know much about negotiating labour agreements. For every position the union has, management must have a position on it. There are two positions on every issue at all times in negotiations. A position can be null but it has to go to the arbitrator in final offer arbitration.
To say that we could not use final offer arbitration because the issues are complex, or to say we cannot use it because they have an issue and we do not, is quite typically stupid Liberal talk. The Liberals do not know what they are talking about.
We have to figure out where to go from here. After 10 years and four strikes it is high time to get into something a lot more productive, and that is final offer arbitration. Our amendments to the legislation will describe that process. From what I have heard today I do not expect the Liberals to understand much about it. We outlined it in writing. Perhaps they can read it before the amendments come before the House. Perhaps the light might come on.
The current system of bargaining is not working particularly for a monopoly that exists in the country that people depend on.
Representatives of an organization in British Columbia that produces a magazine told me they were in desperate straits. They utilize the services of Canada Post almost exclusively. They asked why the Liberals said about a day before the strike started that they would make sure the cheques get out for UI and for seniors. Not once did they mention that they would look after small business. I doubt very much if it were even a consideration.
That is why small business has a real problem with Liberal government. It almost seems as if small business is there to pay taxes and not to service. It is the engine of our country. It is being held up by one group at a time in our year, the Christmas season, that is virtually impossible for many of them.
This is not only an issue for British Columbia. I was on a radio show in Prince Edward Island the day before yesterday. The calls made to that show were the same, that small businesses which are dependent on postal services were being ignored. One has to wonder where the government stands on issues related to private industry or small business.
I know you are busy up there, Mr. Speaker, but I would like to know how much time I have.