On behalf of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, I wish to congratulate you, your NDP colleagues, and the other opposition members of Parliament who have continued to oppose Bill C-6.

Your efforts were successful in provoking a resumption of negotiations between CUPW and the Canada Post Corporation. During the evening of June 24, we held extensive discussions involving representatives of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and Labour Minister Lisa Raitt. This morning, June 25, we met twice with CPC in direct negotiations.

Despite your efforts and the support and solidarity activities of tens of thousands of people across the country, the negotiations were unsuccessful.

CPC once again refused to amend their position. They remain as intransigent as they have been since the introduction of the back-to-work legislation by the Harper government.

Given these circumstances, we believe it would be appropriate for you to introduce amendments which would at least remove the most offensive aspects of this legislation.

Once again, we offer you and your colleagues our deepest thanks for your efforts to oppose this unjust law. We especially appreciate the fact that you were prepared to continue the debate during the national holiday of Quebec.

Your actions, which were successful in provoking a resumption of negotiations, demonstrate the importance of a strong progressive opposition. We remain committed to continue to work with you and the members of your caucus in the broader struggle for decent jobs for ourselves and for future generations of workers.

Denis Lemelin
Président national / National President
Négociateur en chef, unité de l’exploitation postale urbaine /
Chief Negotiator, Urban Postal Operations Unit

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June 9, 2011

Working Conditions Deteriorate at Canada Post

As bargaining continues between CUPW and Canada Post, and CUPW members engage in nationwide rotating strikes in an effort to get Canada Post to negotiate seriously, working conditions have rapidly declined on our work floors.

Not only has Canada Post cancelled all paid vacation and sick leave since CUPW gave strike notice, but as of this week they hit our most vulnerable workers hard with the announcement that all temporary workers would be laid-off, and in many locations, injured and PPD workers being accommodated in accordance with the Canadian Human Rights Act would be sent home without pay.

Continue reading “Working Conditions Deteriorate at Canada Post”

June 7, 2011

Postal strikes and myths – Part 1

June 7, 2011 – 14:35

Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Bulletin

Negotiations Bulletin no. 59

There’s nothing like a postal dispute to bring out the harbingers of “the death of the letter” and even the post office. Right wing groups tend to come out of the woodwork as well. They pounce on the opportunity to advance their view of a postal world where competition prevails and everything magically improves. As a rule, there’s a lot of rhetoric and talk about productivity, volumes and much more. Much gets said during a postal strike and quite a bit of it is bunk. Continue reading “Postal strikes and myths – Part 1”

May 30, 2011

Your Rights Under the Canada Labour Code

Negotiations Bulletin no. 53

CUPW has served the 72-hour strike notice required under the Canada Labour Code. Canada Post’s response was to inform CUPW that the terms and conditions have changed for Urban Operations members. According to CPC the Urban Operations Collective Agreement will no longer be in full force and effect, and therefore members including temporary workers, will be covered by the Canada Labour Code. We have notified CPC that we disagree with their position and believe the collective agreement continues to apply. However members should know their rights under the Code.

Continue reading “Your Rights Under the Canada Labour Code”