Update August 2, 4:14 pm
Dear Canada Post customer,
Serge Pitre Vice-president, Sales Canada Post Corporation |
Are We Making Progress?
Thursday August 11 2016
2015-2019/164
No 61
We have held rallies and shown the Government and Canada Post that we are ready and willing to support our demands.
What CPC is Saying
Canada Post is telling the media and its customers that “Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers remain at the negotiating table, but progress is discouraging.” They also stated: “As you know, Canada Post has expressed its strong desire to continue to negotiate without the threat of a lockout. Although CUPW has repeatedly said that they do not intend to strike, a threat of a 72-hour notice to strike is always a very real possibility.” What message is Canada Post sending to its customers? Are they preparing to issue another 72-hour notice of a lockout?
Many Issues Still to Resolve
We have yet to resolve any of our big issues and CPC appears unwilling to sit down and talk seriously about these issues. They appear to be content to spend time discussing non-monetary issues while avoiding the big issues that must be resolved if we are going to achieve negotiated collective agreements. The reason that “progress is discouraging” is because CPC will not tackle the big issues.
What Needs To Happen
Canada Post needs to come to the table ready and willing to tackle the tough issues that are critical to getting new negotiated collective agreements. It is time to seriously negotiate and get this resolved without CPC continuously suggesting there may be an interruption of service.
Continue to Tell CPC to Negotiate
CPC must translate “its strong desire to continue to negotiate” into real negotiations. Tell CPC to stop trying to chase customers away. The best way for CPC to keep its customers, is by coming to the table with the mandate and resolve to settle this dispute.
CPC: We Are Waiting!
Sylvain Lapointe
Chief Negotiator, Urban Unit
George Floresco
Chief Negotiator, RSMC Unit
Dear Canada Post customer,
Negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) continue and unfortunately we are no closer to a resolution. Over the next ten days, we do expect to see some activity from the union as they attempt to address the expiration of their strike mandate.
The union’s 60-day strike mandate, based on a vote by their membership earlier this year, is set to expire on August 25, 2016. This timeline is set in the Canada Labour Code. Rather than secure the renewed support of their members through a vote, the union is looking at other ways to extend their strike mandate.
Based on options available to CUPW, we can expect a 72-hour strike notice to be issued by the union between now and August 25. This does not necessarily mean that there will be full-scale work disruption associated with the notice, as in a recent bulletin the union reiterated that they do not want to go on strike.
I regret that I cannot provide you with more certainty and greater assurance at this time. My team and I will continue to provide regular and timely updates so that you can make the right decisions for your business.
We remain committed to our goal of reaching agreements that are fair to our employees – and that also allow us to provide the affordable pricing and service on which our customers depend.
Sincerely,
 |
Serge Pitre
Vice-president, Sales
Canada Post Corporation
CPC has made no concessions, none. They are simply negotiating from where they always wanted to be. They are trying to last longer than the union, so the union will fold and there will be a forced settlement.
The last time there was a forced settlement, 2011, the company won big and the workers lost big.
CPC's position is they do not want a negotiated settlement, they want arbitration, a forced settlement, that is not bargained for.
"At least CPC has made some small concessions. "
Could you please elaborate. I have not read anything anywhere to that effect.
CPC And Pay Equity
Tuesday August 16 2016
2015-2019/166
No 63
Canada Post spokesperson, Jon Hamilton is at it again. He is continuing to try and put his spin on the serious issue of RSMC pay equity. Is this how Canada Post intends to address this issue?
THIS IS WHAT CPC IS SAYING
Canada Post seems content to put out misleading statements in the media. On August 13, 2016, CBC News attributed the following comments to CPC spokesperson, Jon Hamilton:
RSMCs can make just as much money as their urban counterparts.
"The union has taken that position in bargaining — it's a bargaining position but that's not true."
While the two positions fall under different collective agreements, Hamilton said it all comes down to the size of a carrier's route.
"The rural carriers, some of them can makes as much if not more than their urban counterparts, and others are more of a part-time role because they're out in the more rural areas."
Hamilton said those with smaller routes earn less because they aren't working as many hours.
RSMCs have "good benefits [and] great pensions." And those circumstances will only improve with the changes Canada Post has proposed during the third, most recent round of negotiations.
THE FACTS
- RSMCs make substantially less per hour than letter carriers, on average over 28% less.
- RSMCs do not get paid for all the hours they work.
- RSMCs have no guaranteed hours.
- The above three points considerably reduce the pension for RSMCs.
STOP THE SPIN GAME AND NEGOTIATE
It is time for Canada Post to stop trying to spin this issue. The fact is that RSMCs, as a whole, make substantially less than letter carriers in the Urban Unit. CPC has to come to the table with the mandate to correct this injustice once and for all.
RESOLVE PAY EQUITY NOW!
Sylvain Lapointe
Chief Negotiator, Urban Unit
George Floresco
Chief Negotiator, RSMC Unit
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