Deachman: Once, Canada Post was vital. Now people tell me it's irrelevant
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According to Google Maps, it takes 19 days to walk from Winnipeg to Ottawa. One wonders if that is how the letter actually made it to this city.
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Perhaps it's not a surprise, then, that the 79-year-old Bateman says the ongoing labour strife between the Crown corporation and its workers won't affect her: 'Not one bit.' Canada Post, she says, is simply not important to her anymore.
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Tha's the problem the post office faces as management and the union CUPW grapple over a new contract for 55,000 employees. The jousting has been going on since November, 2023, and led to a 32-day strike over the 2024 Christmas period.
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'I don't get much mail beyond flyers, and I only check my mailbox about once a week. I use my computer for a lot of my interactions,' said Bateman. 'I don't send cards; I send Happy Birthday emails. I don't send letters to friends; I just call or FaceTime them.'
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Bateman's experience isn't universal, but judging from the quick straw poll I conducted outside the the Canada Post outlet at Fairlawn Mall on Friday, it's an increasingly common one. Reliance on the post office is following the path of the dodo.
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Remember how upset we got when Canada Post announced in 2013 that it intended to drop home delivery in many areas in favour of community mailboxes? Nowadays, some residents are suggesting that home delivery be almost abandoned altogether.
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'The federal government should still have a hand in this — every country in the world has a postal service — but they could cut it down to once-a-week delivery,' said Blake McIntyre, a Gatineau resident who noted he only receives about two letters a month in the mail, mostly from government departments. If he were slightly more advanced with his computer equipment, he could get that number even lower.
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McIntyre's not in favour of full-on privatization of the post office, but said there might be a solution that leans in that direction. 'Maybe the government could contract it out but still be in control of it. But the federal government can't walk away from it, not yet.'
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He's doubtful, though, that the corporation's stated wish to use more part-time employees at the cost of full-time ones will ever happen. 'You think those full-time union guys are going to walk back and let the part-timers take over? I don't think so.'
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Toronto Star
4 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Canada Post, union trade shots Monday as progress stalls
After talks last week aimed at paving the way for binding arbitration, Canada Post and the union representing its 55,000 employees were back trading public potshots Monday, with both sides accusing the other of not negotiating seriously. Monday afternoon, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) blasted the Crown corporation, saying it was counting on government action to force an end to the dispute. 'CUPW's ultimate goal in returning to the bargaining table remains new negotiated ratifiable collective agreements,' CUPW said in a written statement. 'However, Canada Post's actions suggest it does not want to negotiate. It wants to rewrite our agreements — and is seeking to use government interference to further its goals.' The union pointed to Canada Post's request to federal jobs minister Patty Hajdu late last month to order a vote on its 'final' contract offer, as well as then-federal labour minister Steven MacKinnon's decision last December to 'pause' a 32-day strike by creating an Industrial Inquiry Commission run by veteran arbitrator William Kaplan. 'The historic rights and benefits our union has gained for our members — and for Canadian society — such as maternity leave have been won through our collective bargaining rights,' CUPW added. 'The attempt to trample over them should send a chill through the labour movement. CUPW will be standing against a forced vote — and for collective bargaining rights.' In a written statement Monday, Canada Post said two days of talks last week to set the terms for arbitration didn't result in any progress. The Crown corporation also said the union still hadn't provided an official response to its final offer. It also suggested Kaplan's report should be part of the terms of reference for any arbitration. 'The final report of the Industrial Inquiry Commission clearly outlines the critical issues we face and the immediate actions that need to be taken. It should therefore be the foundational document that guides any discussions about Canada Post's path forward. The union's refusal to recognize the IIC report and its recommendations in their proposed terms of reference for arbitration is unacceptable,' Canada Post said. 'After 18 months we urgently need a fair resolution that begins to address our challenges while respecting the important role our employees play, and the voice they have in our future.' A spokesperson for Hajdu said the minister was still reviewing Canada Post's request for a vote on the 'final offer,' and urged the two sides to get back to the bargaining table. 'Last week Minister Hajdu asked the parties to return to the negotiating table with federal mediators to do two things: to seek to negotiate terms for an arbitration process to conclude this round of bargaining, and to have the union table its response to Canada Post's last global offers,' said Hajdu spokesperson Jennifer Kozelj. 'Canadians expect the parties to resolve this dispute. Both parties must meet and pursue these paths with urgency.' Labour experts say it's unclear exactly how the impasse can be resolved. Both sides, suggested University of Toronto professor Rafael Gomez, could be waiting for clearer signals from the federal government on whether it will act on Kaplan's recommendations. 'If the government hems and haws, then of course the parties aren't going to negotiate strongly,' said Gomez, director of U of T's Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources. 'If they said 'here's what we're doing about the report. We're implementing everything Kaplan has said,' that would move the needle.' While a full-blown strike might be another option for the union to try and force the issue, it's not clear if it would work, argued Stephanie Ross, a labour studies professor at McMaster University. The union doesn't have nearly as much leverage as it did last winter, Ross said, because it's not nearly as busy a time of year for parcels, but also because Kaplan's report was largely in line with the Crown corporation's arguments for restructuring. 'It's not clear how much pressure a walkout is going to put on the employer right now,' Ross said. Earlier this month, Canada Post rejected the union's request for binding arbitration, saying it would take too long, and could exacerbate their financial struggles. On May 28, Canada Post made what it called its 'final' contract offer, which includes a 13 per cent wage increase spread over four years, as well as a $1,000 signing bonus. Two days later, it asked Hajdu to order a vote on the offer, a request blasted by CUPW.
National Post
7 hours ago
- National Post
Canada Post rejects union terms for arbitration as both sides enter bitter stalemate
Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) President Jan Simpson, second from right, takes part in a Canada Post rally outside of the Prime Minister's Office in Ottawa, on Saturday. Photo by Spencer Colby / Postmedia MONTREAL — A government push to steer Canada Post and the union representing 55,000 mail workers toward common ground hit a big pothole Monday. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors As an increasingly acrimonious impasse drags on, Canada Post rejected a framework put forward by the union for a binding arbitration process, which Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu asked the parties to work toward just five days earlier. Canada Post spokeswoman Lisa Liu said the Canadian Union of Postal Workers has effectively refused to take heed of a federally commissioned report that called for major reforms to the 158-year-old institution, including more flexible routes and part-time weekend positions with similar pay rates and benefits. Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again 'The union's refusal to recognize the IIC (industrial inquiry commission) report and its recommendations in their proposed terms of reference for arbitration is unacceptable,' she said in a statement. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said its goal remains a return to the bargaining table to hammer out a new contract. 'However, Canada Post's actions suggest it does not want to negotiate. It wants to rewrite our agreements — and is seeking to use government interference to further its goals,' the union said in a release Monday. Canada Post questioned that claim, noting that the union has not responded to its latest offer from May 28. The two sides exchanged some information on Thursday and Friday through federal mediators, but have had little contact since, the Crown corporation added. Meanwhile, the union called on members to sign a letter to the minister opposing the prospect of a forced vote on Canada Post's 'final offers.' The letter says that such a move — requested by Canada Post _ would amount to government interference, tip the scales in the employer's favour and potentially sow division in the ranks of employees. 'The issues will remain contentious among some, most or all of the membership, depending upon how the vote goes,' the Sunday missive states, adding that resulting resentment would undermine labour peace. Union president Jan Simpson hinted at possible rifts within the membership last week, saying in an update that 'although tensions are high, let's not forget our fight is with the employer, not one another.' Canada Post's last proposal includes an end to compulsory overtime, signing bonuses of between $500 and $1,000 and cost-of-living payments that are triggered at a lower inflation threshold.
CTV News
9 hours ago
- CTV News
Canada Post rejects union terms for arbitration as both sides enter bitter stalemate
GATINEAU — A government push to steer Canada Post and the union representing 55,000 mail workers toward common ground hit a big pothole Monday. As an increasingly acrimonious impasse drags on, Canada Post rejected a framework put forward by the union for a binding arbitration process, which Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu asked the parties to work toward just five days earlier. Canada Post spokeswoman Lisa Liu said the Canadian Union of Postal Workers has effectively refused to take heed of a federally commissioned report that called for major reforms to the 158-year-old institution, including more flexible routes and part-time weekend positions with similar pay rates and benefits. 'The union's refusal to recognize the IIC (industrial inquiry commission) report and its recommendations in their proposed terms of reference for arbitration is unacceptable,' she said in a statement. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said its goal remains a return to the bargaining table to hammer out a new contract. 'However, Canada Post's actions suggest it does not want to negotiate. It wants to rewrite our agreements — and is seeking to use government interference to further its goals,' the union said in a release Monday. Canada Post questioned that claim, noting that the union has not responded to its latest offer from May 28. The two sides exchanged some information on Thursday and Friday through federal mediators, but have had little contact since, the Crown corporation added. Meanwhile, the union called on members to sign a letter to the minister opposing the prospect of a forced vote on Canada Post's 'final offers.' The letter says that such a move — requested by Canada Post — would amount to government interference, tip the scales in the employer's favour and potentially sow division in the ranks of employees. 'The issues will remain contentious among some, most or all of the membership, depending upon how the vote goes,' the Sunday missive states, adding that resulting resentment would undermine labour peace. Union president Jan Simpson hinted at possible rifts within the membership last week, saying in an update that 'although tensions are high, let's not forget our fight is with the employer, not one another.' Canada Post's last proposal includes an end to compulsory overtime, signing bonuses of between $500 and $1,000 and cost-of-living payments that are triggered at a lower inflation threshold. Management's earlier offer of a nearly 14 per cent cumulative wage hike over four years remains unchanged, as does a plan to hire part-time staff for weekend parcel delivery — a major sticking point in the talks. Last Wednesday, the jobs minister called on Canada Post and the union to return to the bargaining table and hash out terms for binding arbitration, with the two sides acres apart on key issues. Hajdu also asked the Crown corporation and union to continue to work toward a deal outside of that process in a dual-track approach to reach a new contract. Progress along both tracks is now stalled. The union backed down from the threat of a strike last month, but imposed an ongoing overtime ban instead on May 23. A strike would mark the union's second work stoppage in six months, after mail carriers went on strike for 32 days at the height of the pre-holiday shipping season in November and December. That action was part of the same contract negotiations at issue now. Article by Christopher Reynolds.
