Canada Post strike looming as clock counts down to union’s deadline
Posted May 31, 2011 05:07:58 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The union representing urban workers at Canada Post has given the crown corporation an ultimatum — accept its final offer before Thursday at midnight, or face a strike.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says the notice puts the union in a legal position to strike on Thursday night at one minute before midnight, Eastern Time.
Jeff Callaghan, Atlantic representative for the Canadian Union Postal Workers, says a strike is the last thing the membership wants.
But if it happens, he’s asking the public to be patient.
“Both parties are trying to come to a collective agreement now, but I guess the ball is back in Canada Post’s court and we’re hoping that calmer and cooler heads prevail on their side,” he said.
Callaghan says it’s business as usual for now, especially for rural drivers who are under a different contract, but he adds even they can only deliver mail that’s been sorted.
“Eventually, we think that the mail is going to dry up as people have some reservations abotu putting that into the system if there’s a lengthy strike or labour disruption,”
The postal workers are getting support from other local labour organizations, such as the Halifax Dartmouth and District Labour Council.
President Kyle Buott says members will be canvassing door-to-door this weekend, handing out copies of a window sign in support of the postal workers.
“This is about standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters that are postal workers and specifically saying that the contract demands and concessions the employer is pushing are not acceptable to Halifax workers,”
CUPW AND Canada Post have a history of reaching deals at the last minute, but union officials are warning Canadians thinking about mailing a bill payment or other urgent letter this week to consider their decision carefully.
Federal Labour Minister Lisa Raitt was concerned a strike was possible and urged the two sides to reach a negotiated settlement.
She says any work stoppage would affect Canada’s economic wellbeing, just when the economy is recovering.
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 lowering its demand for wage increases.
