Lockout Notice Issued by Canada Post Following Union’s Strike Threat

A Canada Post truck is parked at a sorting centre in Montreal on July 8, 2016. The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz

Canada Post has responded to a strike threat from its postal workers by delivering a lockout notice to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).

The Nov. 12 notice from Canada Post indicates postal workers will be locked out as of 8 a.m. on Nov. 15 unless agreements are reached with the union’s urban and rural workers, CUPW said in a press release.

The notice was delivered just eight hours after CUPW issued its own 72-hour strike notice to the Crown corporation, according to the union.

“Our goal has always been to reach negotiated collective agreements that support the long-term success of our public post office, while addressing the real issues our members face daily,” CUPW National President Jan Simpson said. “Canada Post has the ability to make that happen without any job action, but it needs to come to the bargaining table and resolve both new and longstanding issues.”

The Epoch Times contacted Canada Post for comment but did not receive a response before publication time.

The Crown corporation has said that unless new agreements are reached, the current collective agreements will no longer apply as of Nov. 15.

“The Corporation will then be in a position, using the means provided in the Canada Labour Code, to adjust operations based on its operational realities and business needs,” Canada Post said in a Nov. 12 press release.

The government-owned entity has lost a total of $3 billion since 2018 and continues to struggle financially. A labour disruption would “deepen the company’s already serious financial situation,” Canada Post said in its press release.

“The ongoing possibility of a labour disruption has been significantly eroding Canada Post’s volumes and escalating the negative financial impact on the company.”

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said the government is hoping a deal can be achieved at the bargaining table.

“The issues at hand in the Canada Post negotiations are substantial. They’re significant,” MacKinnon told reporters during a Nov. 12 press conference. “There’s a lot of work to do … We will make every effort possible to keep them at the table and keep them talking, and we hope to achieve a negotiated settlement there.”

Negotiations

Canada Post and CUPW have been at the bargaining table for the better part of a year to discuss wages, working conditions, retirement plans, and the potential expansion of postal services.

The federal agency’s most recent contract offer included an annual wage increase of 11.5 percent over a four-year period. It also provided protections for the defined benefit pension of current employees, as well as job security and health benefits.

The union rejected the proposal.

CUPW is requesting wage increases that match inflation and increases to the benefit plan to include items like fertility treatment and “gender-affirming” care. It is also requesting 10 paid medical days in addition to the seven paid personal days employees currently receive as well as paid meal and rest periods for employees working five hours or more.