Canada Post STRIKE VOTE : possible strike November 9

[purse_of_the_legionary]

Canada Post employees are now voting until October 17 across Canada for a possible strike (that could start November 9).

What the hell are we going to do if such thing happens right before Holiday Season ?

[magisterrex]

What are they striking for, personal masseuses to accompany them on their postal routes?

[dipmicro]

Perhaps CP can let those unhappy ones go, loose some weight, get more effective and cut the prices for once 😉

Unless ... they are protected by some "right to strike" regulation.

According to my information, CP employees and not that badly paid so what's the strike for?

[recped]

No need to panic, this posturing takes place every time they negotiate a new contract.

[purse_of_the_legionary]

Unreasonable offer by Canada Post prompts strike vote

OTTAWA - (September 2) - Canada Post Corporation has taken an unreasonable approach to bargaining during the late stages of negotiations and employees will take a strike vote over the coming weeks to protect their rights.

The negotiations started in the spring of 2008, and the union says the employer is refusing to address the workers' demands.

Richard Des Lauriers, national president of Union of Postal Communications employees (UPCE), a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) noted "we are disappointed with CPC's stance regarding negotiations. We have always been prepared to reach a fair agreement with Canada Post, one that ensures a strong and vibrant public postal service."

The main issues at the bargaining table continue to be: protections against unreasonable measurements and surveillance of individual employees, workload-management issues, a fair benefits package, fair wages and bargaining unit protection.

Canada Post has previously negotiated similar settlements with other unions.

The PSAC bargaining team tabled a thoughtful and comprehensive offer of settlement last week, but Canada Post remains reluctant to commit to any proposal of substance.

The union will not agree to concessions for its members and says only a substantial improvement in Canada Post's offer could prevent a strike.

"It is clear that Canada Post is not interested in seriously discussing the issues that matter to members," said Gerry Halabecki, the PSAC regional executive vice-president for Ontario. "Without a doubt, Canada Post needs to change its approach if it wants to achieve a fair collective agreement that builds true workplace respect."

The collective agreement between UPCE/ PSAC and Canada Post expired on August 31, 2008.

The union served the employer a notice to bargain on May 1, 2008, and the negotiations began on June 4, 2008.

[purse_of_the_legionary]

"Canada Post employees are now voting until October 17 across Canada for a possible strike (that could start November 9)"

I just read it in the news of french version of CBC

[purse_of_the_legionary]

For those who read french (from Radio-Canada):

Il pourrait y avoir grève à Postes Canada.

Insatisfaits des dernières offres patronales, des représentants des employés administratifs de Postes Canada tiennent un vote de grève jusqu'au 17 octobre, partout au pays.

Lundi dernier, à Montréal, des employés de Postes Canada avaient exprimé leur mécontentement de la dernière offre patronale, déposée le 21 août. Cette offre était à prendre ou à laisser.

Le président national du Syndicat des employés des postes et communication (SEPC), Richard Des Lauriers, avait alors déclaré que « l'offre de l'employeur est un affront. Elle nous force la main. Il faut maintenant tenir un vote de grève et inciter nos membres à passer à l'action ».

La direction de Postes Canada propose notamment aux 2200 employés affectés au service à la clientèle, aux centres d'appels et au secteur informatique, des augmentations salariales entre 1 % et 2 %. Comme il s'agit d'augmentations inférieures à l'augmentation du coût de la vie, le syndicat juge l'offre carrément inacceptable.

La sous-traitance est aussi un un point en litigieux.

Si jamais il devait y avoir grève, le président national du Syndicat des travailleurs et travailleuses des postes (STTP), Denis Lemelin, qui représente quelque 60 000 travailleurs à Postes Canada, a déclaré que ses membres prêteraient main-forte à leurs confrères du SEPC.

Même son de cloche du côté de l'Alliance de la Fonction publique du Canada (AFPC). « Nous ne laisserons pas nos consoeurs et confrères du SEPC affronter tout seuls Postes Canada », a affirmé le président, du syndicat, John Gordon.

Le Syndicat des employés des postes et communications est un membre de l'Alliance de la Fonction publique du Canada.

Les syndiqués de Postes Canada sont sans contrat de travail depuis le 31 août dernier. Même si le syndicat est optimiste, le déclenchement de la grève pourrait avoir lieu le 9 novembre.

[recped]

Richard Des Lauriers, national president of Union of Postal Communications employees (UPCE)

Note that this union represents only about 2,000 mostly administrative employees, even if they did strike it would have minimal impact on service.

[magisterrex]

Note that this union represents only about 2,000 mostly administrative employees, even if they did strike it would have minimal impact on service.

Unless, of course, the other unions refuse to cross the picket lines...

[cumos55]

The government would/could legislate them back to work???