News

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has faced it's first conciliation meeting in its current collective bargaining process to renew their collective contract. The union reports that CUPW met with the employer and Conciliator on February 2, and it appears that Canada Post may be willing to move on certain issues because of union membership pressure. The union are currently attempting to clarify the employer’s proposals.



This meeting occurred after the union representing 54,000 postal workers filed for conciliation under the provisions of the Canada Labour Code. A government-appointed conciliator will now attempt to bring the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Canada Post Corporation to a negotiated settlement. The appointment of a conciliator starts the clock ticking towards a possible strike or lockout by the end of April.



“We’ve taken this action because Canada Post has to move from its hard-line position on demanding significant concessions from our members, even while it continues to post profits and spend money on technological changes,” said Denis Lemelin, CUPW National President and Chief Negotiator.



Among the concessions that Canada Post is demanding is the replacement of postal workers’ sick leave with a short-term disability plan. It is also insisting on new work methods that the union considers unsafe. The new methods have already created huge problems and disruptions of mail service in Winnipeg, where they were first implemented last year. For new hires, the rollbacks include the imposition of a defined contribution pension plan rather than the current defined benefit plan. The union is adamant in its rejection of a two-tier system.



“Canada Post wants to eliminate the current pension plan for new hires now and then impose the new scheme on all employees during a future round of bargaining,” said Lemelin. “We have to take a strong stand now to maintain our public postal service and ensure that future workers will not suffer a deterioration in their working conditions.”