Postal workers reject Canada Post’s final offer, escalating crisis at nation’s mail carrier
According to the Canadian Postal Workers’ Association (Cupw), approximately 68.5 percent of urban postal workers and 69.4 percent of rural and suburban workers voted against the agreement. The vote was managed by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) after the voting, unsuccessful interviews and increasing disappointment on both sides.
The rejected proposal included structural changes to reduce 13 percent wage increase and costs for four years, especially the addition of more part -time workers, which Canada Post claimed to be a solvent. However, the union pushed back harshly, saying that changes threatened occupational safety and work-life balance.
“It is time for Canada Post to return to the bargaining table and begin to negotiate seriously, Cup Cupw said a bulletin to the members. “Behind us behind us, Canada Post’s only forward -looking road is to negotiate approved collective agreements that meet the needs of the postal workers.”
Canada Post, a Federal Crown Corporation, said that he was “disappointed in the results, but thanked the employees for joining them and now he said that he was“ evaluating the next steps ”.
The dispute comes at a difficult time for the national postal service. Canada Post said that there were $ 10 million daily losses daily due to the increasing competition in the field of falling letter volumes and parcel delivery. This spring, a report assigned by the state, described the agency as “essentially bankruptcy” by proposing controversial reforms such as delivery from the daily door to the door. The business model of the company, especially for more flexible, part -time staff, has been an important hearing point. Workers claim that what has long been seen as a reliable public service weakens stability.
Federal Labor Minister Patty Hajdu said on Friday, August 1, although it was a mishap as a result of the vote, it was an important milestone in the process. “After 18 months of negotiations, it was important to hear the voices of the workers,” he said. Federal mediators are waiting.
The effect of the vote can be felt beyond the bargaining table. Dan Kelly, President of the Canadian Independent Labor Federation, warned that more uncertainty can completely remove small businesses from the Canadian Post.
“This brings more uncertainty at a time when small businesses are struggling to plan in advance, Kel said Kelly. “If there is another strike, two of the three enterprises permanently move away from Canada.”
Mail workers held a nationwide strike last December and caused great accumulated work in the important holiday season. Although delivery continued shortly before Christmas, the postures continued behind the scenes and the national overtime ban is still in place.
