CUPW negotiations: Discussions continue
November 5, 2024, 05:46 pm
3 comments
Discussions continued with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) through the weekend. While the negotiations were less productive than we had hoped for, neither side has provided notice (minimum 72 hours) of their intent to start a labour disruption.
The parties remain at the table. Today, Canada Post received counter offers from CUPW for both the Urban and RSMC (Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers) bargaining units. Canada Post is reviewing the counter proposals, which came in response to the most recent global offers presented to CUPW on October 29.
Operations continue as usual
Our regular business operations continue. It would be at least three days (minimum 72 hours) after a notice is issued or received before any labour disruption could begin. We remain committed to providing you with updates as quickly as possible as negotiations evolve.
Uncertainty taking a toll on the business
We remain committed to negotiating agreements without a labour disruption, but the threat of a disruption during the holiday shipping season has already had a serious effect on our business. It’s impacted volumes and revenue and will further deteriorate our financial situation.
Retailers require certainty for their shipments at this critical time of year and are moving their parcels to other delivery companies. Customers have also cancelled direct marketing campaigns to avoid having items stuck in the postal network in the event of a labour disruption. Our overall volumes are down significantly and continue to erode.
Changes required to our delivery model
To secure a stronger future for Canada Post, significant change is required to our delivery model, or the company will fall further behind in today’s demanding parcel delivery market. That’s why the company is negotiating a more flexible delivery model that would allow affordable seven-day-a-week parcel delivery, with more competitive pricing and other important service improvements for our customers.
A flexible delivery model to grow our parcel business is essential to being able to afford what we’ve put forward for current employees. We’ve proposed a balanced approach where current employees would make gains and not lose ground on what matters most to them. Our proposals for current employees include wage increases, enhanced leave entitlements, and protection of your defined benefit pension and job security provisions.
Remaining hopeful for a breakthrough
The company has also proposed that employees hired in the future would receive a competitive compensation package that would include a less costly approach to pension and benefits, including in post-retirement.
To date, our flexible delivery proposals have been met with resistance or constraints that would negate any potential benefits of the change. We remain hopeful that further discussions will afford a breakthrough, but urgency is required. Our deteriorating financial situation could require the company to revisit its proposals.
More information
Watch for further updates on the Negotiations Hub or in mailings to your home. On the Negotiations Hub, you can also sign up for email updates, directly to your inbox.
CUPW RSMC
Canada Post please serve 72 hrs lock out notice. Lock us out. Let us get legislated back to work and let arbitration work it’s magic and get us a contract. We do not want CP vehicles. We do not want an hourly wage. Let’s get this over and done with:)
RSMC’s need more money for the use of our vehicles. Some condensed route don’t get enough money to cover gas let alone the wear and tear of vehicles. Starters; batteries; doors opening and closing. I wore out my driver seat and seatbelt. Had to replace it from wreckers. Benefits for our glasses needs to go back to every 2 years!!! This is not an option- we need to be able to see to drive and read mail. Sneaky move slipping that benefit change in last contract!!!! Do better, benefit for more massage and acupuncture. Our bodies take a beating. We deserve better! Please and Thank-you.
You are real RSMC not from management. Using corp vehicle is only way to stop our loss,