| Canada Post extremely disappointed with CUPW’s response to its offers Dear Canada Post customer, I am writing to update you on our negotiations and advise you that there can be no legal work disruption before the expiry of a 72-hour notice, and one has yet to be filed. On Saturday, June 25, 2016, we tabled offers in our separate negotiations with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW-Urban and CUPW-RSMC), which represent our delivery agents and plant employees. Our offers were designed to help bring a quick resolution to the negotiations and end the uncertainty that is negatively impacting our customers and our employees. Our offers included modest and manageable wage increases for all employees and no changes to the pension for all employees in the plan. As you can read in our public statement, we are extremely disappointed with the response from CUPW. Late Friday evening, CUPW tabled offers that would add at least $1 billion in new costs over the term of a new collective agreement while rejecting the Corporation’s approach to address the long-term issues with the employee pension plan. Rather than saddle customers with more than $1 billion in new costs, Canada Post continues to remain at the table to negotiate an agreement that is reasonable and affordable. In the event of a full disruption, Canada Post will not operate, deliver or accept new items. We will keep you updated on our progress. Thank you for your business and your continued patience. Sincerely,  Serge PitreVice-president, Sales Canada Post Corporation |
CPC has effectively refused CUPW’s offer for a 30-day cooling off period to address concerns about “uncertainty” in the mail system and give negotiations a chance to succeed.
Instead management is proposing a process of compulsory arbitration to commence 30 days from now. If CPC knows there is a process of arbitration after 30 days they will simply continue to issue ultimatums and use the time to prepare their arbitration presentations. That is a prospect that the Union will not accept.
CPC Prefers to Wait and Arbitrate
CPC wants arbitration because they prefer to have a government appointed arbitrator to decide our contracts. They know arbitration is a very lengthy, costly process which always leads to rollbacks. Issues such as pensions, health and safety, work measurement, pay equity, wages, benefit plans and job security usually require many “expert witnesses” to provide evidence. The 1997 arbitration lasted two years and there was never a decision issued. In 2011 the government appointed two arbitrators that were later removed by the courts because of a lack of proper qualifications and an apprehension of bias, respectively. With the many complex issues in the current negotiation a proper arbitration process would be very lengthy.
Right to Strike and Lockout is the Law
The Canada Labour Code requires both management and unions to bargain in good faith. It also provides for both parties to initiate industrial action in order to provide an incentive for both parties to seriously negotiate.
What the Trudeau’s Say About the Right to Negotiate
“We do not feel, unlike previous governments, that it is the immediate responsibility to be heavy handed. We respect labour. We respect the need to come to terms at the bargaining table and that it is what we are going to continue to work on."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, July 5, 2016
“In the present state of society, in fact, it is the possibility of the strike which enables workers to negotiate with their employers on terms of approximate equality. It is wrong to think that the unions are in themselves able to secure this equality.”
Pierre Elliott Trudeau, The Asbestos Strike 1956
Union Response
The Union renews its call for a thirty day cooling off period and meaningful negotiations.
On July 7, 2016 Canada Post served the Union with a second 72- hour notice of lockout. This notice takes effect as of 12:01 am on Monday, July 11, 2016. CPC claims that they want to negotiate but they refuse to move on our key issues. Will CPC continue to issue 72-hour notices? In locations across the country, CPC has begun the process of reducing Group 1 part-time schedules to the bare minimum hours and swipe or access cards are being deactivated. What will happen on Monday? Only time will tell.
We Want Negotiated Collective Agreements!
Our negotiators are more determined than ever to negotiate collective agreements that provide all of us with the improvements that we deserve. Canada Post seems to be determined to try and force the Union to accept binding arbitration. CPC also appears to be determined to negotiate with members directly instead of truly negotiating with the negotiating committee that was appointed for this purpose. It is time to send CPC a loud and clear message to come to the table with the intention of resolving the issues between the parties.
RSMC and Urban Members Unite!
Now, more than ever we must stand together and not let the employer’s tactics divide us. Our negotiating committee is working hard to get good collective agreements for both bargaining units. We all deserve good working conditions, reasonable wage increases, pay for all hours worked, job security and proper staffing.
On continuing negotiations between Canada Post Corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers
GATINEAU, QC, July 10, 2016 /CNW/ - I am pleased that there has been movement at the bargaining table and that progress is being made. I encourage both Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to continue their discussions beyond the lockout notice deadline. I remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached by the parties.
Federal mediators have been assisting the parties in their negotiations. Our government supports a fair and balanced collective bargaining process.
The Government of Canada has contingency plans in place in the event of a work stoppage. While a work stoppage will impact the way we deliver services to Canadians, we will continue to provide people with the services and benefits to which they are entitled.
Canadians are encouraged to visit Canada.ca for more information. The website will be regularly updated with relevant information.
I will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Statement by the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
GATINEAU, QC, July 10, 2016 /CNW/ - I am pleased that there has been movement at the bargaining table and that progress is being made. I encourage both Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to continue their discussions beyond the lockout notice deadline. I remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached by the parties.
Federal mediators have been assisting the parties in their negotiations. Our government supports a fair and balanced collective bargaining process.
The Government of Canada has contingency plans in place in the event of a work stoppage. While a work stoppage will impact the way we deliver services to Canadians, we will continue to provide people with the services and benefits to which they are entitled.
Canadians are encouraged to visit Canada.ca for more information. The website will be regularly updated with relevant information.
I will continue to monitor the situation closely.
