IN THE MATTER OF the Postal Services Resumption and Continuation Act, S.C. 2018, c.25 AND IN THE MATTER OF Arbitrations conducted pursuant to Section 11 thereof
Between : Canada Post Corporation (“CPC” or the “Employer”) and Canadian Union of Postal Workers (“CUPW” or the “Union”)
[CUPW Translation] - 1. INTRODUCTION - [1] In the present case, I issued my first arbitration award on May 31, 2018. I then ruled on several issues in dispute, including the comparator group for rural and suburban mail carriers ("RSMCs") and permanent relief employees ("PREs"), namely the letter carrier group. It was also decided that these jobs are of equal value.[1]
This is a critical stage in our bargaining process. As in the past, we will do everything possible to achieve an agreement without a strike. Over the decades, we’ve seen time and again that when bargaining is tough, the only thing that gets Canada Post Corporation (CPC) moving is a powerful strike mandate – it’s where our bargaining power really comes from. Still, if we have not reached agreements by September 26, 2018, we will have to be ready for some type of job action. In striking down the back-to-work legislation of 2012, Justice Firestone found that our right to strike is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Therefore, management will have to negotiate. This time, they can’t sit back and wait for back-to-work legislation to impose their rollbacks.
ARBITRATION TRIBUNAL - CANADA - PROVINCE OF ONTARIO - Date: May 31, 2018
ADJUDICATOR: MAUREEN FLYNN
CANADA POST CORPORATION Hereinafter: “the Corporation” or “CPC”
AND
CANADIAN UNION OF POSTAL WORKERS - Hereinafter: “the Union” or “CUPW”
Collective Agreement: Collective Agreement for Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers between Canada Post Corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers – Expires December 31, 2017 (the “collective agreement”)
AWARD OF THE ARBITRATOR (In the matter of a pay equity review process for the Rural and
Suburban Mail Carriers)
Bargaining for a Better Future at Canada Post - Over the last several years, postal workers have faced attacks from both management and the Government. When we first launched the Save Canada Post campaign, many said that it was a lost cause. Even some of our allies didn't think it was possible to stop the cuts that had been announced. It's a good thing we didn't listen to them! After years of mobilization, we finally succeeded in defeating Harper's agenda and saved door to door delivery.
Our National Executive Board has prepared this paper to facilitate a discussion with members – a discussion that will develop collective bargaining demands for the 2017-2018 negotiations. Currently the Urban Postal Operations unit (UPO) and the Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMCs) are under two distinct Collective Agreements (CAs). CUPW will eventually unify these units. Some sections below will lead to demands that either affect one CA or the other (should we not to gain unity in this round), or else create classification-specific language in a unified CA.
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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.
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.
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.