According to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), Canada Post’s updates on negotiations around the bargaining table have been rife with misinformation.
On Tuesday, November 26th, Canada Post said negotiations with CUPW had ground to a halt, blaming the union for being unwilling to budge on certain issues.
Additionally, Canada Post touted their offers to CUPW as flexible, stressing there are specific issues they view as necessary to the growth of the corporation.
The union says this update from the corporation they are negotiating with was full of half-truths and deception.
CUPW clarified that they did leave the meeting on Tuesday, but they did so because Canada Post’s negotiators had left, needing to go back and talk with the corporation’s executive board for direction.
Additionally, CUPW says they had specified with the negotiation’s mediator that there is one demand from Canada Post that they were unwilling to talk about.
Canada Post’s update said that in trying to expand their parcel service, they will need to change their entire mail-based delivery model.
This is the issue which CUPW say they will not be negotiating.
“The Union negotiators did tell the special mediator that we were unwilling to talk about one particular Employer demand – something we have discussed at least a dozen times in bargaining already,” wrote CUPW in a media release.
“Canada Post is fully aware of how far CUPW is willing to go – they just don’t like the answer.”
CUPW says that Canada Post’s proposals have thus far included attacks on the full time workers of the corporation. The union says that they are trying to bring in more part-time workers.
A concern of CUPW’s is that the part-timers would only end up getting scheduled for eight hours per week, which would make them ineligible for a benefits package.
“They wouldn’t be eligible for any benefits until they reach 1,000 hours, which could take as long as two and a half years,” said the union.
“This is not an increase in the mix, it is a full-on assault on good-paying, full-time jobs.”
The union also accused Canada Post of already having the means to deliver parcels which are being underutilized, as well as systems to ensure workers are not overburdened and paid appropriately.
“This is part of the reason we know what Canada Post is saying about its financial picture and that it can’t compete without major concessions from CUPW is misinformation,” said CUPW.
“Their proposals make it clear that they do not care about health and safety, overburdening or paying a living wage.”
As of Friday, November 29th, which happens to be Black Friday, the strike has entered its 14th day.
During these 14 days, the union notes that Canada Post higher-ups have been continuing to make their six-figure salaries, while their workers and union leadership have not been earning any money.
CUPW say they are holding out until their demands of quality service, good long-term jobs and for protecting the public post office in the communities they serve are met.
“Canada Post management is willing to lie to the Government and the public to continue its manufactured crisis,” concluded the union.
“In the meantime, it’s leaving 55,000 employees out in the cold.”
Canada Post says that the company has lost $3 billion since 2018. While the strike continues, post offices are closed and mail is not being delivered.
This includes passports, cheques, resources to help non profits stay afloat, Christmas gifts and so much more.
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