Federal government steps in to end postal dispute

The end is in sight; it is merely a question of time for the players to get their ducks in order. The Federal Government is going to step in and end the postal strike. This isn’t going to happen overnight but the process is now in motion to force the union back to work. Lisa Raitt, Canada’s Labour Minister, is going to introduce a bill called the “Restoring Mail Delivery for Canadians Act” to end the work stoppage.

The union has already protested this move by the government. Denis Lemelin, CUPW National President, said that the bill will bring about an outcome nobody wants in that an imposed settlement sets terms that neither party has agreed to.

However when exactly will the bill become law? Both Canada Post and CUPW continue to make their respective cases to the public and supposedly to the other side but is either side listening to the other? Today Canada Post posted two videos, one in English by President and CEO Deepak Chopra and one in French by Chief Operating Officer Jacques Côté appealing directly to the postal employees trying to explain the company’s position and how the union is not listening to the realities of the current economic climate. It would seem that there still is the hope that an agreement can be struck meaning both sides agree to sign on the dotted line before the government’s bill forces everybody back to work. A bill as a solution does have the inherent problem of being imposed as opposed to being accepted as Denis Lemelin has warned. But what else can the government do? Canada Post keeps saying the strike has cost the company $100 million and that amount is climbing every day. If this is anyway true, there should be no surprise that the Conservatives feel the need to do something for the benefit of not just Canada Post but for any person and business relying on the mail.

Documents Listed Below

* announcment from the Federal Government about back-to-work legislation

* video in English by President and CEO Deepak Chopra

* video in French by Chief Operating Officer Jacques Côté

* Canada Post to Deliver Socio-Economic Cheques on Monday

* video: CUPW-Windsor president on Canada Post lockout

Canada New Centre – Jun 16/2011

Federal Government will introduce the Postal Services Continuation Act

The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Canada’s Labour Minister, will introduce a Bill entitled “Restoring Mail Delivery for Canadians Act” to end the current work stoppage involving the Canada Post Corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) – Urban Operations Unit.

“Our Government is concerned about the effect this strike is having on Canada’s economic recovery and on Canadians,” said Minister Raitt.  “Canadians gave us a strong mandate to complete our economic recovery, and this is why we will put legislation on notice to ensure resumption and continuation of postal services.”

The back-to-work legislation, when passed by both the House and Senate, will bring an end to the work stoppage, which started on June 3 as rotating strikes by CUPW escalated to a lockout by Canada Post yesterday. CUPW’s collective agreement, covering approximately 50 000 postal workers, expired on January 31, 2011.  Negotiations began in October 2010, and parties are still in a stalemate on key issues.

“My preference is always for the parties to resolve their own labour dispute and reach an agreement through negotiations,” said Minister Raitt.  “I am concerned that the ongoing talks between the parties have not produced an agreement despite assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.  Our Government must act to protect the public interest and the country’s economy as a whole.”

This legislation is necessary as the Government of Canada simply cannot wait for the parties to reach a settlement when there is no reasonable prospect for an agreement in the near future.

June 16/2011

The President and CEO and the Chief Operating Officer Speak to Canada Post Employees

In video addresses to employees, President and CEO Deepak Chopra [in English] and Chief Operating Officer Jacques Côté [in French] discuss Canada Post’s decision to shut down operations after 12 days of rotating strikes by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

Le PDG et le chef de l’exploitation s’adressent aux employés

Dans des messages vidéo à l’intention des employés, le président-directeur général, Deepak Chopra [en anglais], et le chef de l’exploitation, Jacques Côté [en français], parlent de la décision de Postes Canada de fermer ses opérations après 12 jours de grèves tournantes organisées par le Syndicat des travailleurs et travailleuses des postes.

Canada Post – June 16/2011

Canada Post to Deliver Socio-Economic Cheques on Monday

Despite the ongoing labour disruption, Canada Post wants to reassure our customers that socio-economic cheques will be delivered. An agreement was reached with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) in March to ensure delivery of more than two million cheques nationally on Monday, June 20.

The following cheques will be delivered on June 20:

* Receiver General of Canada:

– Canada Pension Plan

– Old Age Security

– Veterans’ Affairs Pension Plan

– Canada Child Tax Benefit

* Quebec:

– Quebec Pension

– Child Assistance

– Income Security

* Alberta:

– Pension Cheques (from Alberta Seniors)

Some provinces opted to have their socio-economic cheques delivered by Canada Post, while others did not.

These cheques will be delivered to eligible Canadians on June 20 by regular mail delivery. On June 20, people expecting any of the socio-economic cheques mentioned above should check their mail box or visit their local post office.

For customers who receive their regular mail delivery via general delivery at a post office of via a postal box, all post offices will be open on June 20 to allow customers to retrieve their cheques. Offices that have been closed due to the work disruption will be open for the day for cheque pick-up only and will not handle any other retail transactions.

Delivering during a work disruption is a huge challenge, but Canada Post is committed to delivering these important cheques to the Canadians who count on receiving them.

Uploaded by TheWindsorStar on Jun 16, 2011

CUPW-Windsor president on Canada Post lockout

John Vigneux, president of Canadian Union of Post Workers Local 630, talks Wednesday, June 15, 2011, about pensions, a two-tiered wage system and health and safety issues that are unresolved in labour contract talks between Canada Post and its workers. Employees were locked out early Wednesday.

CUPW – Jun 15/2011

Union: Legislation quashes free collective bargaining

Postal workers across the country could be forced back to work under a bill that their union is calling unnecessary, unjust, and counterproductive. Minister of Labour Lisa Raitt today served notice of the government’s intent to introduce back-to-work legislation.

Denis Lemelin, CUPW National President, said ‘We never got a chance in this round of bargaining. Canada Post spent months just saying “no” and misleading the public about our proposals. Now, as we call for a meeting with Canada Post’s President, the Harper government is going to rescue him from any responsibility to negotiate realistically with the workers.’

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has been trying to bring proposals to the bargaining table that address health and safety issues around Canada Post’s new sorting machines and delivery methods. It has also offered proposals for innovation and expansion of the public postal service.

According to the union, Canada Post’s focus on concessions has made it impossible to negotiate. CUPW members are fighting to keep their collective agreement from being eroded and are also resisting wage rollbacks for new hires.

‘If this bill passed, we would have the very outcome that nobody wants,’ continued Lemelin. ‘An imposed settlement brings down terms that neither party has agreed to.’

‘We believe in free speech, free association, and free collective bargaining. This legislation hurts the values that our country stands for and is an attack on workers’ rights and standard of living.”

‘We will nevertheless continue to struggle for the rights of our members, the rights of all workers, and a just society built on decent jobs.’

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