Updated Story 1:46PM
The standoff between Canada Post and its workers has hit another roadblock.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says Canada Post’s latest contract proposals are “worse than what we rejected in August.”
Union president Jan Simpson says the new offers scrap job security, extend the layoff zone, and cut jobs outright. She accuses the corporation of wasting time and undermining bargaining.
Canada Post says the offers protect key benefits like pensions, health coverage and vacation, while adding wage increases of more than 13 per cent over four years.
The Crown corporation says it needs changes to modernize the service and deal with a worsening financial crisis
The government has urged both sides to reach a deal quickly.
Rotating strikes and two national shutdowns have already disrupted mail delivery across the country.
Talks are set to continue, but the impasse shows no sign of breaking soon.
Original Story 10:01 AM
A new contract offer has been submitted to the Postal Workers Union by Canada Post as negotiations look to speed up again.
A nationwide strike by postal workers was launched last week following a review by the federal government to modernize postal operations, suggesting an end to door-to-door delivery.
Local CUPW 812 President, Nicole Chouinard told Vista Radio it’s about time but the union is taking a wait and see approach.
“We’ve been waiting for them for a long time to put forth an offer. We are surprised the government let it drag on for as long as it has for some reason our conversation with our employer stopped being about negotiations and more about the future of a postal service that has lasted longer than this country.”
“So, it’s refreshing that we are back talking about negotiations but we are not terribly optimistic that Canada Post is going to show us the respect and courtesy at this point that we have been waiting for them to show us for two years.”
The offer maintains key provisions including Compounded wage increases of 13.59% over four years, Health benefits and post-retirement benefits as well as up to seven weeks vacation and pre-retirement leave.
Canada Post is proposing a transparent workforce adjustment process that includes six months’ notice to CUPW, a period of consultation with the union, voluntary departure incentives of up to 78 weeks’ base pay, and seniority-based bidding and bumping.
Layoffs will only be used if other measures, including attrition and departure incentives, prove insufficient to achieve reduction targets.
With thousands of employees set to retire over the next few years, reducing the size of the workforce through attrition will always be the first choice, but it cannot be the only option through this transformation.
Laid-off employees would retain recall rights for two years, continue to accrue seniority, and may access the Corporation’s Supplementary Employment Benefits Plan, which provides a salary top-up for up to two years.
If not recalled within the two-year timeframe, impacted employees would receive severance pay (plus pay in lieu of notice) in accordance with the Canada Labour Code.
With the lifting of the rural moratorium, Canada Post is also proposing to remove the provision in the Urban collective agreement that leaves 493 corporate post offices, largely in urban and suburban areas, as off-limits.
This provision in the current collective agreement acts as another moratorium on making necessary changes to the company’s post office network, which is not sustainable.
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