The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is calling on members to turn down Canada Post’s recent contract offer because a vote on the Crown corporation’s “best and final” offer by the government constitutes a dangerous precedent.
A strong no vote would not only reject the offer, but also protect the integrity of the bargaining process, union national president Jan Simpson wrote in a Thursday letter to members.
“If this vote goes ahead, we are handing Canada Post carte blanche to steamroll workers now and down the road,” she added.
“By voting yes, we are saying it’s alright to disregard fair and free collective bargaining, disregard the democratic processes and structures of our union and tell governments it’s alright to stamp all over your workers’ entitlements.”
Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board last month to step in and put the Crown corporation’s latest offer to a vote, which is to begin next week.
Canada Post is at an impasse with the union representing roughly 55,000 postal service workers after more than a year and a half of talks.
“The truth is, the vote is about one thing — it’s about the ultimate and final offers we’ve made for both bargaining groups, urban and rural,” stated Jon Hamilton, vice-president of communications and stakeholder relations for Canada Post.
“This has nothing to do with additional rounds of talks. It is taking a right after having tried virtually all options available in the book to reach a negotiated settlement.”
The deal would include pay increases of nearly 13.6 per cent over four years but also include part-time staff Canada Post claims are needed to ensure the post office stays viable.
“It’s final best offer because it’s as far as we are able to go as a company,” Hamilton stated about the offer. “Our finances are frankly well known. They are bleak.”
Canada Post has reported it shed just shy of $10 million per day in operations during June, more than twice a daily loss last year in the corresponding period. It further revealed customers are ditching the service due to uncertainty and switching to competitor carriers.
Hamilton stated the Crown company must adapt to offer seven-day-a-week delivery and to keep up with other carriers — including bringing on part-timers.
“We’d still retain a very high rate of full-time employment, which is important to the union and it’s important to us.”