Wednesday, June 4, Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families, called on both the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post to return to the bargaining table. Today June 5, we have started that process, meetings are now underway. The Minister has requested both parties to focus on two key priorities: working with federal mediators to negotiate terms for an arbitration process, and continuing efforts to reach settlements for new collective agreements.
In a wide-ranging interview on Tuesday night, Jean-Yves Duclos, the Minister responsible for Canada Post, who heads up the Department of Public Service and Procurement Canada, discussed our ongoing strike and the future of Canada Post with the CBC’s Power and Politics show host, Catherine Cullen. The Minister told Ms. Cullen that the service first mandate “will not change” and that includes “serving every Canadian where they live including northern and remote areas.” He also said that parcel delivery was increasing “at a very high speed” which is “good news” for Canada Post.
Back-to-work legislation is always an infringement of workers’ rights --
Hearings are now concluded in the Ontario Superior Court on our constitutional challenge to the 2018 back to work legislation. CUPW leaders, activists, and our legal counsel worked hard and presented a strong case before Judge Edward Morgan to have the legislation declared unconstitutional and defend our free collective bargaining rights.
The new Collective Agreements imposed by Arbitrator MacPherson address some of our concerns, but also leave some major issues unresolved. This award is a great example of how we cannot resolve our issues with compulsory arbitration. We need free collective bargaining and the right to strike. These rights have always been the power behind our major contractual gains.
Bill C-89, An Act to provide for the resumption and continuation of postal services was passed by the federal Liberal majority in the House of Commons on November 24, 2018 and took effect at noon on November 27. One year has passed.
The arbitration process, imposed on us in the back to work legislation, officially begins on Wednesday, January 16, 2019. Your negotiating committee and our legal counsel, along with Canada Post representatives, will meet with Arbitrator Elizabeth MacPherson to discuss the issues in dispute and the arbitration process.
On Monday, December 17, 2018 the mediation process under the back to work legislation ended. Mediator-arbitrator Elizabeth MacPherson was unable to bring the parties to an agreement. The parties remain too far apart and there was no agreement to extend the mediation process for an additional seven days.
Over the last number of weeks, allies have set up picket lines at postal facilities across the country to protest Trudeau’s back-to-work legislation and Canada Post’s refusal to negotiate fair contracts for CUPW members. We appreciate the support of our allies. It is clear that postal workers are not alone. The entire labour movement is standing behind us and is prepared to fight to defend the right to free collective bargaining.
Right to Strike Ruled a Charter Right in 2016 Ontario Superior Court Decision - For immediate release - Ottawa - The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) will file a constitutional challenge today with the Ontario Superior Court after being legislated back to work by the Liberal government two weeks ago.
On Monday, December 10, 2018 the Minister of Labour Ms Patty Hajdu appointed Ms Elizabeth MacPherson as the mediator-arbitrator as per the back‑to-work legislation.
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.
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.
Tomorrow, August 20, your Negotiating Committee will return to the bargaining table to present new global offers for both postal bargaining units to Canada Post.
Unfortunately, our scheduled meetings for Friday, August 15th and Monday, August 18th, have been postponed. The Federal mediators will not be able to assist CUPW and CPC due to their current involvement in the Air Canada negotiations.
This September, CUPW joins its Malayali brothers and sisters with joy and pride to observe Onam celebrations in Canada. Onam is one of the most significant regional festivals celebrated in Kerala, the southernmost state of India.
After pressing the Employer to come back to the bargaining table early last week, we received a response from Canada Post CEO Doug Ettinger on Friday evening, just hours after we posted Bulletin 128, “CUPW is Waiting for Canada Post.” In his letter, Mr. Ettinger stuck to the lines we’ve heard from Canada Post for many months now.