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Canada Post Strike Enters New Phase with Mediator Involvement
Negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) are set to resume on Monday with the addition of a federal government-appointed mediator. This comes after CUPW members initiated a nationwide strike on Friday, which has resulted in the suspension of all mail and parcel services across the country.
Jan Simpson, the president of CUPW, expressed optimism about the upcoming discussions, stating that the union is eager to engage with the newly appointed mediator, Peter Simpson. She emphasized the importance of reaching agreements directly at the bargaining table, suggesting a collaborative approach going forward.
In response to the ongoing situation, a representative from Canada Post acknowledged the necessity of the mediation while highlighting that significant gaps in negotiations still exist. The spokesperson reiterated Canada Post’s commitment to finding solutions through discussions rather than arbitration.
Concerns from Business Groups
The strike has raised alarms among business organizations, with concerns that the disruption could negatively impact the Canadian economy and small businesses. Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon underscored that negotiation remains the primary avenue for resolving the strike, moving away from alternative solutions such as arbitration, which he employed recently to address port shutdowns in British Columbia and Quebec.
Amidst these labor conflicts, postal workers are advocating for better wages, enhanced benefits, and improved health and safety standards. They argue that after enduring stagnant wages during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical to address these issues in the current negotiations.
The Lengthy Bargaining Process
Discussions between Canada Post and CUPW have been ongoing for a year, reflecting the complexities of reaching a mutual agreement. Simpson pointed out that the union preferred to avoid a prolonged strike but felt compelled to take action due to Canada Post’s insufficient offers, which did not adequately reflect the contributions of postal workers during the pandemic.
“We’ve fallen behind,” she noted, underlining the need for Canada Post to uphold its commitment to help workers regain lost ground during this bargaining cycle.
Canada Post has countered with proposals of an 11.5 percent wage increase over four years, alongside additional paid leave and defined-benefit pension plans. However, the union insists that Canada Post must also prioritize health and safety measures, particularly concerning the new Albert Jackson processing facility in Scarborough, Ontario, which began operations last year.
Future of Postal Services
Another critical issue is the potential expansion of Canada Post’s services to include seven-day-a-week delivery. While CUPW has proposed a model for this expansion, they report that Canada Post has consistently rejected these ideas. Simpson emphasized that while postal employees are hopeful for improvements and service expansion, this should not come at the expense of fair working conditions.
“They cannot expect to fix the problems that Canada Post has on the backs of these workers,” Simpson stated, highlighting the need for a sustainable collective agreement that addresses the interests of both the corporation and its employees.
Source
globalnews.ca