CUPW members have now been out on the picket line for three weeks without pay and, in a recent move, Canada Post Corporation (CPC) also cut off benefits and initiated lay-offs. Unfortunately, those workers who require “lifesaving medications” are now being denied and must pay for them out-of-pocket. In addition, it also affects those who are off work due to short-and-long-term disability.
As a result, on November 29th, 2024, CUPW filed an ‘Unfair Labour Practice’ complaint with the CIRB (Canada Industrial Relations Board) against the lay-offs imposed by CPC citing that workers are exercising their legal right to strike.
“We feel this unprecedented move on the part of CPC is a clear intimidation tactic and in violation of the Canada Labour Code. It is an attack on our fundamental right to strike that is enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” says CUPW. “Canada Post did not consult the Union before laying off our members and is refusing to provide essential information to the union in terms of the number of lay offs, when they happened and how employees were selected for these lay offs.”
CUPW says that Canada Post is targeting the weakest segment of workers while continuing to pay their senior management full six-figure salaries plus bonuses.
A Union representative raised the question as to “… why should upper management be receiving bonuses if the company is losing so much money?”
CUPW says it has asked that the government force Canada Post to come to the table with “… a real ratifiable offer and that benefits immediately be reinstated – many of our members depend on life-saving medications and are unable to bear the cost of these medications! Our lives depend on these!”
The Union has focused its strike action on four main issues – fair wages, safe working conditions, the retirement defined benefit pension plan and a commitment by CPC to work with the Union to expand services into areas such as postal banking and Ev charging stations.
While there has been some movement, CUPW says that “… the Corporation remains uncompromising on many of its most severe demands for what it calls “flexibility” – a Canada Post plan which, if implemented, will come at the expense of workers. Additionally, there are no fixes for our health and safety concerns, and not enough movement on benefits.”
The Union says that the proposals by CPC have included what is a “… full-on assault on good-paying, full-time jobs and full-time work where the Corporation wants to increase the part-time mix to more than 50% of the workforce, when they have over 5,000 part-time and over 12,500 temporary employees now. Some part-timers would end up being scheduled for as few as eight hours per week. They also wouldn’t be eligible for any benefits until they reach 1,000 hours, which could take as long as two and a half years.”
The Union also reiterated, as late as December 2nd, that it is prepared to return to the bargaining table and is waiting to be called back by the mediator. As of December 4th, there is still no resolution in site.
