OTTAWA - Last night, the federal Minister of Labour MaryAnn Mihychuk requested that the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Canada Post management both agree to a 24-hour extension of timelines, in order to allow for the negotiation of a longer extension and ongoing talks.
Yesterday, the Government proposed that the parties agree to a 24-hour extension of our strike mandate. The NEB agreed to this proposal but Canada Post refused it. How many more times will the Government allow Canada Post management to ignore its requests? The Government also stated that it will appoint a high-profile mediator.
Yesterday we met with Canada Post and the Minister of Labour with the mediators present, to review all the issues in dispute. We were anticipating a different approach, but instead it was the same old rhetoric. Canada Post is maintaining its unacceptable demands rollbacks: precarious part-time and temporary employment, no improvements in staffing, the ability to close all 493 protected CUPW staffed retail locations eliminating up to 1200 full-time jobs, continuing the attack on our retirement security by wanting to increase the cost of retiree benefits and changing to a defined contribution pension plan for all new regular employees and to change the working conditions for all Urban employees. Canada Post’s proposal on pay equity for RSMCs was nothing more than an attempt to complicate and delay that process. Canada Post wants to drag out pay equity with binding arbitration, a process that could take years or even decades. . Surprisingly, Canada Post did not include any demands for growth during its presentations yesterday. Canada Post mentioned nothing about parcels or unaddressed admail or any other way to increase revenues and grow the company. This is not an approach that will lead to negotiated collective agreements.
Today we are meeting with Canada Post and the mediators to identify the key issues for each side that need to be resolved if we are going to achieve negotiated collective agreements. Representing CUPW will be National President Mike Palecek, 1st National Vice-President Jan Simpson, and both CUPW chief negotiators George Floresco and Sylvain Lapointe. CPC will be represented by CEO Deepak Chopra and other senior representatives.
This morning we met with representatives of the Federal Government and Canada Post management to discuss the current state of negotiations. The government was represented by Treasury Board President Scott Brison and senior officials from Labour Canada and Treasury Board. CPC was represented by CEO President Deepak Chopra and other senior representatives. Representing CUPW was National President Mike Palecek, 1st National Vice-President Jan Simpson, and both CUPW chief negotiators George Floresco (also 3rd National Vice-President) and Sylvain Lapointe (also National Director, Metro-Montreal Region).
As the end of our strike vote mandate looms ever closer, what is Canada Post waiting for? Are they content to sit back and see what we will do on August 25? Do they want us to take some form of strike action so that they can then lock us out? Do they want negotiated collective agreements or do they want to battle this out?
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?
There have been many questions about how the Canada Labour Code applies to our current situation. As you know, we held a strike vote and that mandate is good for 60 days. Our 60-day period ends on August 25, 2016. What are our options at that point?
On Saturday, over 1000 postal workers and allies gathered in Montreal and marched to Prime Minister Trudeau’s constituency office to deliver our message to the government. It is time for Canada Post to negotiate seriously with us and address the issues that are key to achieving new collective agreements.
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On December 1, the Union received new “comprehensive framework” documents which provided the current position of Canada Post through the special mediator for both the Urban Operations and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers bargaining units.
On November 29th, 2024, CUPW has filed an Unfair Labour Practice complaint with the CIRB against lay offs imposed by CPC on workers who are exercising their legal right to strike.
We feel this unprecedented move on the part of CPC is a clear intimidation tactic in violation of the Canada Labour Code. It is an attack on your fundamental right to strike that is enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Your Negotiators are ready and waiting for Canada Post to return to the bargaining table, so we can get back to the important work of negotiating collective agreements for all postal workers.
As members know by now, the special mediator put Negotiations on a temporary pause, suggesting the Employer and the Union were too far apart for meetings to continue. We are hoping that Canada Post takes this time to reassess its positions and finally come to see the flaws in its bargaining proposals.
On Thursday, CUPW rallied at Canada Post Headquarters in Ottawa. They were joined by allies in the labour and social justice movements. Standing in solidarity, they sent a strong message to the Crown Corporation:
We’re ready to continue negotiations, but we can’t bargain with ourselves. Where is Canada Post?
For almost two weeks, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has been on strike against Canada Post fighting for fair wages, safe working conditions, the right for all workers to retire with dignity, and the expansion of public postal services for all communities. But rather than make an effort to bargain good collective agreements that meet the needs of postal workers and the public, Canada Post has dug in its heels.
Canada Post’s latest information update of November 26 describing what is going on at the bargaining table is full of half-truths and outright deception.
First and foremost, CUPW left the meetings Tuesday since we cannot proceed without Canada Post’s negotiators. They had to go back to speak to the Executive Board of Canada Post for further direction.
Over the weekend, Canada Post informed the public and CUPW members, through the media, that CUPW Negotiators had spent Saturday at the bargaining table talking about cleaners working inside Canada Post facilities. This is an outright misrepresentation.
On November 22, Canada Post released its financial results for the 3rd quarter of 2024.
For the three months ending in September 2024, the Corporation reported a loss from operations of $313 million. Overall revenue was down $15 million compared to the same time last year, as growing revenue from Neighbourhood Mail and Transaction Mail were not enough to offset lower parcel volumes.
In several regions across the country, Canada Post has been calling CUPW members to lay them off. While some are saying it is temporary, we’ve heard stories that it may be more permanent. These types of phone calls are merely a scare tactic by Management. We urge members not to panic if you receive such a call. Instead, take note of what the management representative says and then request a record of employment and estimated date of return in order to allow you to apply for EI benefits.