Union says management ‘steamrolling workers’ but Canada Post cites increased wage offers, pension, 7 weeks’ vacation, 13 personal days
As the Canada Post workers’ strike now in its fourth week, the two parties appear to be no closer to coming to an agreement than they were when the labour action started.
On Monday, the Urban and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers Negotiations Committees with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) met directly with the employer to present revised proposals in response to the corporation’s latest proposals.
“Our latest proposals include member demands – forwarded from our Locals across the country and voted on by each bargaining unit – that address the issues postal workers need resolved so that we can all get back to work,” said the union in a statement.
“None of us want to be on the picket line, but we cannot continue with management steamrolling workers with random ideas they have to change work rules and impact our safety. We call on Canada Post to seriously consider our proposals and recognize that they reflect the value of its workforce.”
The union also noted that “true progress requires meaningful engagement, not surface-level proposals, or new demands that derail progress.”
The union had previously accused Canada Post of using layoffs as a "scare tactic" as the strike by more than 55,000 workers continues.
However, Canada Post said, upon receiving the offer, that it is “extremely disappointed,” with the union’s offer, noting that the union’s intent “appears to be to widen the gap in negotiations, rather than close it”.
“In the last few weeks, Canada Post has made several important moves to close the gap and reach negotiated agreements, but the union has reverted to their previous positions or increased their demands,” said the employer in a statement.
Canada Post noted that postal services around the world are looking to evolve their delivery approach to respond to changing customer needs. However, CUPW’s demands “reinforce the status quo and add significant and unsustainable long-term fixed costs,” said the employer.
“One example is continuing to demand the contracting of all services, making our facility cleaning staff and other contracted support services permanent Canada Post employees,” it said.
The employer also highlighted its efforts to satisfy workers, including:
“Our approach throughout negotiations has been fair, balanced and straightforward, bringing much-needed flexibility to our delivery model to improve service for Canadians and grow our parcel business, while protecting and valuing the people who provide that service,” said Canada Post.
The employer also said it will be conducting a full review of the offers for the Urban and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) bargaining units and will share more information as soon as possible.
Previously, negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) reached a stalemate, and the special federal mediator decided to temporarily suspend mediation, according to the government.
