Postal worker contract talks to continue up until late Thursday strike deadline

OTTAWA — The union representing Canada Post’s urban workers gave the Crown corporation an ultimatum Monday that it will go on strike this week if its final offer is rejected.

Denis Lemelin, national president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, said the notice puts the union in a legal position to strike on Thursday at 11:59 p.m. ET after it turned down the latest offer from Canada Post.

“We have some days in front of us but at some point the union will have to go forward,” Lemelin said after meeting with Canada Post on Monday morning.

“It is important that Canada Post let go some of its demands and rollbacks that they put on the table.”

Lemelin said the union and Canada Post have a history of reaching a deal at the last minute, but said Canadians thinking about mailing a bill payment or other urgent letter this week will have to consider that decision carefully.

“It is why we have informed the population around the issue and people have the choice to use or not to use the mail,” he said.

Federal Labour Minister Lisa Raitt was concerned a strike was being considered and urged the two sides to reach a negotiated settlement.

“Any work stoppage would impact Canada’s economic well-being,” Raitt said in a statement.

“We are currently going through an economic recovery, which remains fragile.”

The two sides have been in talks for more than seven months and have not been able to hammer out an agreement. CUPW made a final offer Monday that includes several amendments and clarifications to its positions — including a drop in its wage increase demands.

The union represents about 50,000 urban postal workers and negotiations to reach a new collective agreement began last fall.

Steve: - June 8, 2011 at 22:34:55

That's it for the postal service for me. I'm taking the time to shift all my bills and mailings online. I could care less why you are striking people. You want my sympathy people? Umm.... No. Think about what you do all day long and if you think you are worth more? Compare this job to others before you quickly jump to a conclusion. You are driving yourselves into a company which has to contend with the real world. Expect the Canada Post service being outsourced to the China Canada Post Service. Sorry all, but get with reality in today's age. Right or wrong, it is what it is.

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Steve: - June 8, 2011 at 22:33:15

anonymous: - May 31, 2011 at 01:42:13

I deliver mail outside of St. john's and I do not make $22.00 an hour and I have to use my own vehicle. As for you Irene, I would like for you to come on the road with me for one day and do what I do and you wouldn't be long hauling in your horns. You think it is so easy. Come with any of us on a cold and snowy day in the winter and see what you think. Some people need to get a life.

Richard: - May 30, 2011 at 21:57:04

As long as private and confidential paper correspondence exists, we need an institution that upholds a standard for handling it with strict conformance and adherence. Which private corporation do you want to trust? Postage stamps hold legal tender value like currency. Postal carriers are sworn to public service and authorized to carry proclamations rom the throne, or declarations of war! Would you like to see that handled and branded by CANPAR or FEDEX? Do you want these services handled at the bottom of the supply chain by desperate minimum wage workers? When you sell out a country's institutions to corporate interests, you realize an immediate fiscal gain but it's a false gain. You open the door to corruption.

Steve

- June 8, 2011 at 22:39:53

I agree with you on the confidentiality issues however I think this will drive the privitization of the postal service this time around... Most of us (i think) will agree that as soon as you write it down or email someone, it's open to potentially everyone to see so the real issue is dependability of the service. Unless the power goes out across North America, I cannot see how the importance of this great service will still stay relevant. Thanks for your comment!

Chris: - May 30, 2011 at 17:48:31

Well that is about enough. Seriously, between the post office and the auto workers how much money do we have to OVERPAY people?? @Sue, you had to deal with snow? try working for a living??? I mean REALLY working. i was a mail carrier through my younger days.... EASIEST job of my life. I quit becasue I felt guilty about what I was paid. I was contributing nothing and I felt awful about myself. So I went back to school and got a real job, that I am paid what I am worth. Postal workers, auto workers, union workers......... do you realize how many people DO NOT have jobs???

Anonymous: - May 30, 2011 at 16:00:46

If they strike I think these mail carriers will be in for a bit of a surprise when they realize that a lot of people don't care. Canada Post has become all but obsolete, if they go on strike it will not affect me whatsoever, and there are plenty of people out there who are just like me. I deal with pretty much everything, such as bills and whatnot, online. Most business mail is sent by courier. Canada Post just brings me junk mail that I don't want. If it were up to me the whole company would be drastically scaled back with mass layoffs, and a starting salary of minimum wage for new employees. In fact I would like to see them privatized, the taxpayer should not be subsidizing an unnecessary service.

Sean

- May 30, 2011 at 20:59:30

You have the right to have your say, but at least know the facts before you say anything. To make a comment that Canada Post is an unnecessary service and that it is subsidized by taxpayers money, is outrageous. Canada Post is a self sufficient company and the taxpayers benefit from the profits the company makes. What kind of person wants a company to perform mass layoffs and scale back wages. You must have something wrong with you to wish that on anybody. It is usually people like you that are the first to open your mouth and do not have a clue on what you are talking about!
Postal Workers spouse

- May 31, 2011 at 13:04:23

For those of you who only see the money that canada post workers are asking for and think there should be mass layoffs, this is to you. I am a stay at home mother of 3 little boys and we are currently living off of my husbands salary from Canada post so we would really apreciate it if there were not mass layoffs at Canada post!

mary: - May 30, 2011 at 15:43:32

Maybe she doesn't have a relative working for canada post.

irene: - May 30, 2011 at 15:40:00

I think it's outrageous that they have the gall to ask for more money. They are overpaid now for essentially doing what my flyer deliverer does. Have some backbone canada post . Their services will become less and less a necessity as more people realize that private carriers are more reliable and as cheap in the delivery of parcels. The younger generation will use computers for corresponding.

Sue

- May 30, 2011 at 16:25:50

Maybe you should do your homework..it ain't about money. I love my job but it does have risks. We had alot of snow to contend with this winter as well as alot of rain.We also deal with high heat and MANY dog issues. I cannot afford to be bit by an iressponsible dog owner. I make myself aware of my surroundings daily.I'm not compaining about these Again I love my job. But don't judge what you don't know.

fargus: - May 30, 2011 at 14:50:31

Just a comment. A part-time carrier starts at $ 22/hr. My daughter spent 6 years to get a Business degree a few years ago and still don't make that much money. Go figure!!!!

Ryan

- May 30, 2011 at 15:34:32

Well then why doesn't she become a mail carrier?

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Postal worker contract talks to continue up until late Thursday strike deadline

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