Close X
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canada Post Union Calls For 30-day Truce For Talks Without Strike Or Lockout

The Canadian Press, 08 Jul, 2016 11:33 AM
    OTTAWA — A proposed 30-day negotiating truce between Canada Post and its largest union has raised a glimmer of hope that mail will continue to flow next week.
     
    The Canadian Union of Postal Workers, facing being locked out by their employer on Monday, put out the idea Friday morning in hopes the month-long cooling off period would keep packages and mail moving under the old contract while "intensive negotiations" continue.
     
    The union also said it was willing to drop a formal complaint that Canada Post had refused to negotiate fairly if the Crown corporation agreed to the 30-day truce.
     
    Canada Post has countered the union proposal, saying it is willing to continue bargaining for another month but only if the union agrees to binding arbitration in the event a deal can't be reached — a proposition CUPW had previously rejected.
     
    Without a truce or deal, Canada Post will be in a legal position to lock out the 50,000 unionized employees starting Monday at 12:01 a.m. ET, after pushing back a Friday ultimatum.
     
    "Our members, their families and all Canadians do not deserve to have this threat of a lockout 'looming' over our heads from a profitable public service," CUPW national president Mike Palecek said in a statement.
     
     
    "Postal workers want to work and people need to know that it's safe to use the mail system."
     
    In a statement, the postal service said binding arbitration would eliminate uncertainty for workers and for customers, who are already moving business to private couriers.
     
    "What Canada Post has put forward is a reasonable approach that will end the uncertainty immediately and allow for meaningful discussions at the bargaining tables," the statement said.
     
    The union rejected binding arbitration earlier this week after Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk floated the idea to both parties.
     
    The two sides appear to be far apart on several major issues after seven months of negotiations, including 60 days of conciliation talks and more than 30 days with federal mediators.
     
    The sticking points remain a union request to increase wages for rural and suburban mail carriers who are paid about 30 per cent less than their urban counterparts, and a Canada Post request for pension changes for new hires designed to save costs over time.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Four Civilians Charged After Military Finds Alleged $1.3 M Fraud At CFB Halifax

    Four Civilians Charged After Military Finds Alleged $1.3 M Fraud At CFB Halifax
    After a four-year investigation, military police have charged four civilians in an alleged $1.3 million fraud at CFB Halifax.

    Four Civilians Charged After Military Finds Alleged $1.3 M Fraud At CFB Halifax

    Sources confirm MP Jason Kenney will seek Alberta PC leadership

    Sources confirm MP Jason Kenney will seek Alberta PC leadership
    CALGARY — Sources say Alberta Conservative MP Jason Kenney is making the jump to provincial politics.

    Sources confirm MP Jason Kenney will seek Alberta PC leadership

    Peace Region Town Hopes Garlic Can Fight Pesky Mosquitoes

      The District of Taylor has approved a pilot project to apply an environmentally friendly but potent garlic solution to several areas around town in hopes of wiping out mosquitoes.

    Peace Region Town Hopes Garlic Can Fight Pesky Mosquitoes

    Toronto Real Estate Prices Soar In June; Sales Volume Up But New Listings Fall

    Toronto Real Estate Prices Soar In June; Sales Volume Up But New Listings Fall
    The Toronto Real Estate Board says there were 12,794 residential transactions through its members in June — 7.5 per cent more than the same month last year.

    Toronto Real Estate Prices Soar In June; Sales Volume Up But New Listings Fall

    Jason Kenney May Not Be The One To Unite Right In Alberta: Ex-Wildrose Leader

    "It's going to be an uphill battle for him ... because of some of the positions that he has taken on conservative social issues in the past," said radio host and former politician Danielle Smith.

    Jason Kenney May Not Be The One To Unite Right In Alberta: Ex-Wildrose Leader

    Lawsuit Filed Over Federal Permits For Alleged Bee-Killing Pesticide

    Lawsuit Filed Over Federal Permits For Alleged Bee-Killing Pesticide
    TORONTO — Environmental groups are filing a lawsuit over federal permits for two common pesticides that some say are behind large die-offs in bee populations.

    Lawsuit Filed Over Federal Permits For Alleged Bee-Killing Pesticide