HERE IS THE TIME FRAME:
April 4, 2016 — Canada Post applies for Conciliation
April 11, 2016 — The Federal Government appoints two Conciliators to assist in CUPW/Canada Post bargaining. They are: Sheri L. King and Audrey-Mélissa Therrien.
April 11- June 10, 2016 — Intensive bargaining between Canada Post and CUPW. The Conciliators will work to try and assist CUPW and Canada Post to come to a fair Collective Agreement. The Conciliators are also obliged to write a report during this period. The Conciliators submit this report to the Federal Minister of Labour.The Federal Minister of Labour has to immediately release this report to both CUPW and Canada Post.
June 11– July 1, 2016 — there is a mandatory cooling off period. Intensive bargaining can continue during this period, and in the last number of rounds of bargaining between CUPW and Canada Post, there has always been bargaining during this period.
July 2, 2016 – CUPW is in a legal position to strike and Canada Post is in a legal position to lock us out.
CAN THE CONCILIATION TIME BE SHORTENDED?
Yes. Conciliation could end prior to June 10, 2016, if the Conciliators decide to submit a report to the Minister prior to that date. If this were to happen, then either a strike or lockout could occur earlier.
CAN THE CONCILIATION TIME BE EXTENDED?
Yes. Conciliation can be extended only if both CUPW and Canada Post agree to it.
WHY DO WE HAVE THESE TIME FRAMES?
Conciliation is a process that is outlined in the Canada Labour Code. This is the Federal Labour legislation that covers Canada Post. It sets out the rules regarding conciliation.
DOES BARGAINING TAKE PLACE DURING CONCILIATION?
Yes!!!! CUPW is bargaining with Canada Post. The CUPW negotiators are working very hard to stop Canada Post’s rollbacks and to achieve a just and fair Collective Agreement for postal workers.
The COLLECTIVE AGREMEENT AND CONCILIATION:
Once CUPW began bargaining for a new Collective Agreement with Canada Post, the provisions of the Canada Labour Code stating that our Employer (Canada Post) cannot alter the rates of pay or any other term or condition of employment or any rights and privileges that CUPW members have. This lasts until a strike or lockout is declared.
DOES CUPW HAVE TO GIVE STRIKE NOTICE?
Yes. The Union must give seventy-two (72) hours strike notice in writing, indicating the date on which the strike will occur.
The same rules apply to Canada Post giving lockout notice.
WHAT HAPPENS ON JULY2, 2016?
It depends. Hopefully, CUPW will have exerted enough pressure on Canada Post that we are able to achieve a new Collective Agreement. If bargaining is going well CUPW may decide to continue bargaining with Canada Post. If bargaining is not going so well, CUPW may ask postal workers to undertake some form of strike action.
And, Canada Post will be able to lock us out.
SO WHAT CAN I DO?
We need to put pressure on Canada Post. This can be done in many ways. Here are some:
- Keep telling Canada Post that you don’t want their rollbacks. Supervisors are regularly required to report to upper Canada Post Management what people on their work floors are saying
- Sign up for picket shifts
- Participate in work floor actions and other events to put pressure on Canada Post
- Read CUPW bulletins, go to the CUPW Vancouver Local website, and go to the CUPW National website to keep informed
- Come to the strike vote
- Remember that it has been the hard work of postal workers for years and years that resulted in the rights and benefits we all have.
In Solidarity,
Michael Seney
Organization Director