Canada Post files for conciliation

Negotiations with CUPW continue

Canada Post filed notices of dispute with the Minister of Labour in ongoing negotiations with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).

The notices request a conciliator be appointed to Canada Post’s negotiations with CUPW-Urban and with Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC).

The collective agreement between Canada Post and CUPW-RSMC expired on Dec. 31, 2015. The collective agreement between Canada Post and CUPW-Urban expired on Jan. 1, 2016.

The terms and conditions of both agreements continue to apply as the parties attempt to reach an agreement.

According to Canada Post, the notices were filed because progress has not been made on key issues despite the fact that the parties have been meeting since 2015.

In a press release the employer said it hopes a neutral party will stimulate “constructive discussion and accelerate the negotiations process.”

The union, however, called the filing a “cynical attempt to provoke a labour dispute.”

“This is unprecedented in our history,” said Mike Palecek, national president of CUPW.

“Canada Post has not even finished giving us their demands and they are already preparing to push matters to a head.”

According to the union, Canada Post is calling for significant concessions, including rollbacks on pensions, benefits and job security. The union alleges Canada Post negotiators have refused to consider any of its proposals.

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