Latest news with #Hajdu
Toronto Star
2 hours ago
- Business
- 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 Observer
5 days ago
- Business
- National Observer
Jobs minister urges Canada Post, workers to reach a deal
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu on Wednesday called on Canada Post and the union representing 55,000 postal workers to return to the bargaining table and hash out terms for binding arbitration, with the two sides still far apart on key issues. In a social media statement Wednesday, the minister also asked the Crown corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to continue to work toward a deal outside of that process. Binding arbitration, where a third party decides the terms of the collective agreement, is "not the preferred path," she said, but suggested the stage would be set for an imposed settlement if the two sides could not find common ground themselves. "Canadians expect the parties to resolve this dispute one way or another. To do that, they must meet and pursue these two paths with urgency," Hajdu said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Federal mediators are standing by to help, she added. Canada Post said Wednesday it is ready to go back to the table to negotiate a new collective agreement. "After 18 months at an impasse, all options must be considered to address these critical priorities, including an employee-directed vote," said spokeswoman Lisa Liu in an emailed statement Wednesday. Canada Post asked the minister last week to force a union vote on its "final offers." The union came back by proposing binding arbitration. Each side rejected the other's suggestion: Union president Jan Simpson decried any compelled vote as a "government attack on our rights to free collective bargaining"; Canada Post warned that arbitration would be "long and complicated" — more than a year, it claimed — and add to its financial problems. The union said Wednesday it welcomed "the minister's recognition that negotiated settlements are best." The union president also hinted at possible rifts within the membership. "Although tensions are high, let's not forget our fight is with the employer, not one another," Simpson said in an update to members. The minister made no mention Wednesday of a vote, after saying last week she was "reviewing" Canada Post's request. Hajdu's two-pronged approach — ushering the parties toward possible arbitration as well as a voluntary deal — may be an attempt to pry an agreement out of them by using the stick of intervention. "Knowing that the minister is saying that intervention may be coming, will they be able to negotiate something and take it out of the hands of an arbitrator that potentially could give everything to one side or the other?" asked Stephanie Ross, an associate professor in the School of Labour Studies at McMaster University, stressing that "arbitration is always a bit risky." And if not, will the two sides even be able to hammer out terms for arbitration — to agree on what issues an arbitrator would rule on — she wondered. "This is just another level of the impasse." On Tuesday, the union said the government had laid down a next-day deadline to respond to the employer's latest offers, which include an end to compulsory overtime and a signing bonus of up to $1,000, among other concessions. But management stuck to its proposal for a 14 per cent cumulative wage hike over four years, a "dynamic routing" pilot that could see mail carriers' routes change daily in response to parcel volume, and part-time staff on weekend shifts — a major sticking point in the talks. Meanwhile, the Crown corporation's income statement continues to bleed. It reported nearly $1.3 billion in operating losses last year, raising further questions about its business model as letter volumes plunge and fears of a second disruption in six months persist. The union again adopted a legal strike position starting May 23, but it has opted instead to ban members from working overtime while negotiations continued. The 32-day work stoppage in November and December halted millions of letters and packages in the peak shipping season ahead of the winter holidays last year. Canada Post says parcel volumes are down 65 per cent from the same time last year due to uncertainty over the contract negotiations. Typically, unions seek negotiated deals rather than arbitration, Ross noted. But in this case, postal workers may see the latter as a gambit to avoid overhauls to an organization in crisis — particularly after a commissioner's report recommended major reforms to the 158-year-old institution. "Arbitrators tend to be reluctant to make big structural changes to the employment relationship, because it's much more preferable that the parties agree," Ross said. "The union feels this would be a good way to defend their current employment structure and defend against the rollout of part-time on the weekends." This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025.
Global News
6 days ago
- Business
- Global News
Minister wants Canada Post, union back at table to talk arbitration
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu says she's asked Canada Post and the union representing its postal workers to return to the negotiating table. In a post on X, Hajdu stated she had requested the two parties to return and work with federal mediators on negotiating terms for an arbitration process to conclude this round of bargaining and to have the union table its response to the Crown corporation's most recent offers. 'Arbitration is not the preferred path to an agreement for either side, and each will have priorities it wants recognized,' Hajdu wrote. 'For that reason, attempts to negotiate a settlement must continue. Canadians expect the parties to resolve this dispute one way or another.' The minister's call for a return to talks comes just three days after Canada Post rejected the union's request for binding arbitration, saying it would be 'long and complicated.' Story continues below advertisement On Sunday, the Crown corporation said it was seeking a 'timely and fair resolution' that would ensure employees would 'have a voice' through a vote. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) made the request on Saturday, a day after Canada Post asked Hajdu to direct the postal workers' union to hold a vote on the 'final offers' the national mail carrier presented last week. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Crown corporation had said in asking for the vote that it was not possible to reach tentative agreements through negotiations 'given the level of impasse and CUPW's negotiating position.' The request was made the same day the union was meeting with Hajdu and Secretary of State for Labour John Zerucelli. 2:19 Nationwide rallies in support of Canada Post workers as tensions rise In a statement Tuesday, the union said they stood 'solidly' against a 'forced vote,' adding that when they received the request for the vote Friday they were given until Monday to review and provide a response. Story continues below advertisement However, they said they were granted an extension and had until Wednesday for an official response. Global News has reached out to both Canada Post and CUPW for a response to Hajdu's request. The union and Canada Post have been trying to negotiate a new contract for more than 18 months. There was also a month-long strike last year. That strike ended when then-labour minister Steven MacKinnon asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order workers back on the job if it agreed with his determination that there was an impasse in negotiations. MacKinnon had also ordered an industrial inquiry commission to review the structural issues of the dispute, which were laid out in a report released last month that made several recommendations, including phasing out door-to-door letter delivery for individual addresses. Canada Post is 'facing an existential crisis: It is effectively insolvent, or bankrupt,' the report from the Industrial Inquiry Commission said. The Crown corporation earlier this week posted a nearly $1.3-billion operating loss for 2024, while revenues fell by $800 million, or 12.2 per cent, compared with 2023. Last year's strike contributed to a 'net negative impact of $208 million' towards Canada Post's $841-million loss before tax, the latest annual report said. Story continues below advertisement When the corporation presented its offers on Wednesday, it said in a news release that the final offers were 'designed to move negotiations forward and return certainty and stability to customers, Canada Post's employees, and all Canadians.' –With files from Global News' Sean Boynton and Uday Rana
Vancouver Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Jobs minister Patty Hajdu presses Canada Post, workers to reach a deal
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu is calling on Canada Post and its union to return to the bargaining table to hash out terms for binding arbitration. In a social media statement Wednesday, the minister also asked the Crown corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to continue to work toward a deal outside of that process. She says arbitration is not the preferred path, but suggested the stage would be set for an imposed settlement if the two sides could not find common ground themselves. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The minister says Canadians expect the parties to resolve the impasse and that federal mediators are standing by to help. On Friday, Canada Post asked Hajdu to force a union vote on its 'final offers,' while the union requested binding arbitration, which the employer rejected. After a month-long strike last fall, the union has again been in a legal strike position since May 23, but has instead opted to ban members from working overtime while negotiations continued. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jobs minister presses Canada Post, workers to reach a deal
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu is calling on Canada Post and its union to return to the bargaining table to hash out terms for binding arbitration. In a social media statement Wednesday, the minister also asked the Crown corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to continue to work toward a deal outside of that process. She says arbitration is not the preferred path, but suggested the stage would be set for an imposed settlement if the two sides could not find common ground themselves. The minister says Canadians expect the parties to resolve the impasse and that federal mediators are standing by to help. On Friday, Canada Post asked Hajdu to force a union vote on its "final offers," while the union requested binding arbitration, which the employer rejected. After a month-long strike last fall, the union has again been in a legal strike position since May 23, but has instead opted to ban members from working overtime while negotiations continued. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025. Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
