The Canadian Union of Postal Workers welcomes the resignation of Judge Coulter Osborne as final offer selection arbitrator. Judge Osborne was appointed by Labour Minister Lisa Raitt to arbitrate the contract between CUPW and Canada Post Corporation following the back-to-work legislation which ended the postal lock-out in June 2011.
“Today we contacted Labour Minister Raitt and requested a meeting with her to discuss the implications of Judge Osborne’s resignation,” said CUPW President and chief negotiator Denis Lemelin. “We will encourage Ms. Raitt to appoint an experienced and bilingual mediator, to work with the parties to negotiate a collective agreement, instead of replacing the arbitrator.”
“A negotiated settlement would be far preferable for all concerned. Judge Osborne’s resignation creates an opportunity for the parties to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a collective agreement.”