News releases

Company tables compromises in an attempt to avoid a costly strike for employees, Canadians and Canada Post

In an effort to avert a damaging work disruption and reach a negotiated settlement to this round of labour negotiations, Canada Post has offered further compromises and improvements to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). The company has proposed the following:

• The Short-Term Disability Program will be put on hold and will be reviewed by a joint union-management committee. If no agreement is negotiated, the issue would be referred to binding arbitration.
• Employees hired in the future will have a starting wage of $19 an hour – rising to the same $26 an hour maximum as existing employees;
• Employees hired in the future will have a Defined Benefit pension plan;
• Employees hired in the future will have the same job security provisions as current regular employees;
• A study on the feasibility of retail business growth ideas in urban centres.

We believe these significant concessions respond to the main issues of concern raised by the union in a meeting held with Deepak Chopra, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Canada Post on Wednesday June 1, 2011.

In addition, Canada Post has maintained its other proposals and continues to offer current regular employees the following:

• Annual wage increases
• An annual cash bonus tied to the company’s performance
• Job security
• No changes to a Defined Benefit pension plan
• Comprehensive benefits for employees and retirees
• Generous vacation leave

Canada Post believes that a disruption to postal service is completely unnecessary and is disappointed that the union is planning to begin rotating strikes in Winnipeg, Manitoba at 11:59 p.m. (EDT). The focus of the company and union should be on negotiating a new labour agreement and serving Canadians.