Canada Post set to strike on Thursday at midnight

Postal workers are set to strike this coming Thursday, June 2, 2011 if their latest offer is not accepted by the Crown Corporation. According to CUPW’s media release of May 30:

“Striking is our only real bargaining lever with Canada Post and we have concluded that we must give notice that we are willing to use our legal right to strike to get a decent contract that meets the needs of our members and preserves public postal service,” said CUPW National President Denis Lemelin.

“After seven months of negotiations, Canada Post continues to demand major concessions, including unsafe work methods, a 22 per cent wage reduction for new hires and the elimination of a sick leave plan that members have had for over 40 years,” said Lemelin.

“Canada Post’s intransigence at the bargaining table has left the union with little choice but to accept unsafe and unfair conditions or strike. But we hope it won’t come to that.”

The union represents 48,000 full-time, part-time and temporary employees in its urban operations bargaining unit. The union’s final offer contains several changes and amendments, including to its wage demands. The Star summarized:

Citing rising inflation, the union is proposing wages of 3.3 per cent, 2.75 per cent, 2.75 per cent and 2.75 per cent in each year of a four-year deal. Canada Post has offered a four-year deal with wage increases of 1.9 per cent, 1.9 per cent, 1.9 per cent and 2.0 per cent in each year.

Negotiations will continue right up to the end but at the moment, an agreement doesn’t seem to be in the works. Both sides have agreed however that federal pension and old age security cheques would continue to be delivered if there is a walk-out. All other mail and parcel delivery would cease and Purolator Courier, partly owned by Canada Post, would not be affected.

(CTV, Toronto Star)

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