A lockout would mean a halt to delivery of mail and parcels, and Canada Post wouldn’t accept any new items to send domestically or overseas.
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Canada Post said it intends to lock out its workers starting on Friday after months of negotiations have failed to make a labour deal between the postal carrier and its largest union.
The last work stoppage for mail delivery in Canada was in 2011, when after a ten-day period of rotating strikes and lockouts, the then Conservative government ordered back-to-work legislation.
But in a statement early Tuesday, Canada Post said it plans to suspend the collective agreement as of Friday.
“While Canada Post must take steps to address its pension liabilities, the threat of a prolonged work stoppage has many small business owners anxious.” said CFIB president Dan Kelly.
According to both sides, employee pension plans are a key aspect of the negotiations.
Palecek said the union has been attempting to negotiate pay equity for its female-dominated workforce of rural carriers and stave off the profitable Crown Corporation’s demands for massive rollbacks.
The union made a counter-offer on Monday, which was rejected by Canada Post as being “not affordable” as it would add $1-billion in costs over the life of the contract.
“In order to take this step, Canada Post has followed the procedural requirements and issued a 72-hour notice to the union”.
“I think Canada Post is going to try and starve us out this time, that’s their intent”, says Patricia Nauss, President of Kamloops Local 758.
Canada Post’s haste to push matters to a head in the bargaining process while insisting on hefty cuts has had the CUPW crying foul from the beginning.
However, CUPW is accusing the corporation of using this to drive it’s workers into accepting deep concessions, or taking job action.
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Canada Post and the union representing postal workers are continuing negotiations to avert a labour dispute. Any mail and parcels within the postal system during a work disruption will be secured and delivered as quickly as possible once operations resume.
