Canada Post spokesman Jon Hamilton says the company has not given the required 72 hours notice of a lockout, nor has the union given notice of any job action.
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Officials say they still hope to negotiate a deal with the union and avoid a work stoppage Friday, but say the lockout notice allows them to “take measures that are necessary to respond to the changing business reality”.
Canada Post has tabled just one offer since negotiations began and is now shutting down Canadians’ postal service across the country.
In a statement early Tuesday, Canada Post said it plans to suspend the collective agreement as of Friday.
The Crown corporation tabled new offers but has yet to hear a response from the union, which must issue a 72-hour notice before going on strike.
Derek Richmond, the union’s Ontario region coordinator and third vice-president and lockout coordinator with Scarborough Local 602, which represents workers in York and Durham regions and North York and Scarborough, could not immediately be reached for comment Monday morning.
While Ottawa isn’t considering back-to-work legislation yet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that could change if the stoppage goes on too long.
“They have been lying to the public”, says CUPW president Mike Palecek. There is no need to demand sweeping concessions from Canada Post workers.
The Crown Corporation has been engaged in negotiations with the union representing more than 50,000 of its workers since last November.
If a labour disruption happens, Canada Post will not operate, accept mail and parcels and delivery will be halted.
However, Canada Post said it requires a new pension plan for future employees.
Postal workers remain committed to seeking the best possible public postal service for Canadians and Canadian businesses.
The union: The union’s proposal is calling for larger wage hikes than what Canada Post is offering, and rejects the defined-contribution pension proposal.
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A Canada Post employee fills a community mail box in Dartmouth, N.S. on Thursday, June 30, 2016.
