As you know, women’s struggle for equality is not over. We need to pursue our struggle for full representation in all spheres. This is a pivotal year for CUPW. Its two main bargaining units are in negotiations with Canada Post. After having been legislated back to work through an employer-dictated lockout, members of the urban unit are now at the mercy of an arbitrator who will decide between two final offers. The Harper Government has given the arbitrator a very restrictive mandate with very clear instructions. Is that the meaning of free collective bargaining?
Our public post office is responsible for distributing government cheques that are a fundamental part of what we call the social safety net. The CUPW does not want to see pensioners and people with low income suffer in the event that the union is forced to strike. After all, any dispute over contract issues should be directed at Canada Post, not the most vulnerable members of society. The union has therefore negotiated an agreement with Canada Post to distribute pension and social assistance cheques in the event of a work disruption. The agreement is virtually identical to the agreement used in 1997 and the agreement negotiated but not used in 2003.
VOTE YES!! After five months of difficult and frustrating negotiations we need to send Canada Post management a strong message. “Drop your demands for concessions and address the Union’s proposals for equality, respect and a share of the benefits of automation. And do it now!”
In 1910, Clara Zetkin, the feisty German orator and activist, gave a speech at the International Socialist Women’s conference in Copenhagen. She proposed that “the socialist women of all nationalities will hold each year a Women’s Day, whose foremost purpose it must be to aid the attainment of women’s suffrage.” The first International Women’s Day (IWD) was held in March 1911. Originally known as International Working Women’s Day, the occasion celebrates women’s rights and gives us an opportunity to act for change. People all over the world still voice their demands for a better world on March 8th every year.
Support Postal Banking - Download and Sign the Petition
Canada needs a postal bank. Thousands of rural towns and villages in our country do not have a bank, but many of them have a post office that could provide financial services. As well, nearly two million Canadians desperately need an alternative to payday lenders. A postal bank could be that alternative. Download and sign the petition urging the Government of Canada to instruct Canada Post to add postal banking, with a mandate for financial inclusion.
This Labour Day, workers across Canada are gathering not just to celebrate our history, but to demand a fair future. This year’s theme, “A Canada for Workers: Made Here, Paid Here,” is a call to action: the people who power this country deserve recognition and results.
After reaching out to Canada Post through the Federal mediators to schedule a meeting, the Negotiating Committees will return to the bargaining table today, Wednesday, August 27.
The Federal mediators advised us that Canada Post has cancelled today’s (August 25) planned meeting. The Corporation says it needs more time to review our latest global offers. We are expecting to receive more questions from Canada Post about our offers through the Federal mediators.
Yesterday, August 20, CUPW’s Negotiating Committees returned to the bargaining table to present comprehensive global offers for both the RSMC and Urban bargaining units.
While we had planned to meet again tomorrow, Canada Post has told us today that it needs more time to review our offers.