Last minute talks not enough to avert postal strike
OTTAWA - Canada Post’s last-minute concessions were not enough to stop the Canadian Union of Postal Workers from beginning rolling strikes in Winnipeg. “After more than seven months of difficult and frustrating negotiations, CUPW has initiated strike activity,” wrote CUPW National President and Chief Negotiator Denis Lemelin in a statement Thursday night. “Tonight, members of the Winnipeg local will be the first postal workers to legally strike in more than thirteen years.” Canada Post’s concessions included an offer to take the company’s proposed short-term disability program off the table and have a joint union-management committee review it. Canada Post also offered to set starting pay for new hires at $19 an hour - an increase of $1 from its previous offer. The union was unimpressed, saying there was “almost no movement” on their issues. Negotiations will continue Friday, but Canada Post is frustrated with union representatives. “We certainly put everything we could in front of them to avoid a strike that we think is completely unnecessary,” said Canada Post spokeswoman Anick Losier. The rolling strikes start in Winnipeg because that’s where Canada Post began its modernization program with hi-tech mail processing systems the union blames for health and safety problems. Winnipeg’s job-stoppage would last 24 hours then would move to other locations, but the union wouldn’t say where. Labour Minister Lisa Raitt has met with both sides in the dispute to encourage them to reach a deal. A strike would halt Canada Post’s letter and package delivery, but officials have made arrangements for uninterrupted distribution of federal pension and old-age security cheques.
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