The debate continues.
LIVE: MPs in marathon debate on Canada Post bill
Good to see a real official opposition in Ottawa. Hat's off to the NDP.
CUPW Strike 2
Fri, 2011-06-24 09:28
#52
Fri, 2011-06-24 11:42
#53
Postal workers bring picket line to federal buildings
- Published on June 24, 2011 Staff ~ The Cape Breton Post
SYDNEY — Work came to a standstill at several federal government departments in Sydney this morning as a result of information picket lines set up by locked out postal workers.
Members of Breton Local 117 of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers set up what they described as "peaceful information pickets" outside the Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Canada Revenue Agency, and Service Canada offices located on Dorchester Street, around 6 a.m. Friday morning. As workers arrived for work at those departments, they gathered in groups on the opposite side of the street waiting for word on what was expected of them.
Initially, many employees were told to come back at 10 a.m.
At 10 a.m., a discussion took place between several managers of the impacted federal government departments, and Gordon MacDonald, president of Breton Local 117. Managers asked MacDonald if workers’ safety could be guaranteed if they crossed the line to go into work.
“I’m telling you at this stage with the legislation that’s in front of us, I can’t openly guarantee controlling my members,” said MacDonald. “I certainly cannot guarantee their safety.”
At that point, the majority of the workers were told by their managers to report back at 1 p.m.
At 11 a.m., the postal workers ended their information picket outside the federal buildings.
“All the workers have been sent home until 1 p.m. and I think the message is loud and clear,” said MacDonald. “We’re very thankful to the workers and to the other members in the other unions.”
Canada Post locked out workers and suspended urban mail delivery across the country Wednesday after rotating strikes by the 48,000-member union began June 3.
Federal MPs were on the job through the night Thursday and into today debating legislation that would send Canada’s locked-out mail workers back on their routes.
Fri, 2011-06-24 20:27
#54
June 24, 2011 - 16:35
Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Bulletin
Negotiations Bulletin no. 76
CUPW continues to receive massive support in our struggle for a collective agreement. In the House of Commons, opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) have held the government to account with eloquent speeches about our issues and the importance of free collective bargaining. The New Democratic Party has repeatedly demanded that the legislation be withdrawn and that Canada Post end the national lockout. Throughout the night, opposition MPs have raised the real issues in the dispute and exposed the constant distortions and falsehoods spread by Canada Post and the government. Never in history have postal workers, or the labour movement, received such strong and dedicated support in Parliament.
Everywhere, postal workers have been supported by the labour movement and our allies. At rallies, demonstrations and occupation of Tory constituency offices we have been joined by women’s organizations, students, anti-poverty activists, other unions, seniors, and local community activists. At workplaces across the country rural and suburban mail carriers have supported urban postal workers on picket lines.
Postal workers will never forget this unprecedented solidarity.
CPC admits lockout costs more than rotating strikes
On the evening of June 14th, Canada Post management initiated a national lockout which shut down postal service to the public. Earlier that day, they claimed to have experienced losses of $70 million due to our limited one-day rotating strikes. Hours later, when announcing the lockout, they claimed the losses were almost $100 million. Now, in their letter to employees released on June 23rd, they state that the losses have increased to “hundreds of millions” since their lockout began.
The entire responsibility for the failure of negotiations lies with CPC Chief Operating Officer Jacques Côté and CPC President and CEO Deepak Chopra. It was their decision to demand a multitude of rollbacks that they knew no union could agree to. It was their decision not to address any of the health and safety issues raised by the union. And it was their decision to initiate a full-scale national lockout which denied postal service to the public and has caused financial losses to the Corporation. It is time Jacques Côté and
Deepak Chopra accept responsibility for their actions and their failed strategy.
The Struggle Continues
From the very beginning of this round of negotiations, we have done everything possible to obtain a collective agreement that meets the needs of postal workers, and preserves postal service. At every step of the way, CPC made unreasonable demands and attacked and distorted the positions of the union. Whatever happens in Parliament, we will continue our struggle because we know that only a negotiated contract, ratified by a membership vote, will bring stability, justice and peace to the post office.
In solidarity,
Denis Lemelin
National President and Chief Negotiator
Sat, 2011-06-25 18:08
#55
June 25, 2011 - 15:40
Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Letter
By Email
Mr. Jack Layton
Leader of the Official Opposition
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
Mr. Layton:
Subject: Bill C-6
On behalf of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, I wish to congratulate you, your NDP colleagues, and the other opposition members of Parliament who have continued to oppose Bill C-6.
Your efforts were successful in provoking a resumption of negotiations between CUPW and the Canada Post Corporation. During the evening of June 24, we held extensive discussions involving representatives of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and Labour Minister Lisa Raitt. This morning, June 25, we met twice with CPC in direct negotiations.
Despite your efforts and the support and solidarity activities of tens of thousands of people across the country, the negotiations were unsuccessful.
CPC once again refused to amend their position. They remain as intransigent as they have been since the introduction of the back-to-work legislation by the Harper government.
Given these circumstances, we believe it would be appropriate for you to introduce amendments which would at least remove the most offensive aspects of this legislation.
Once again, we offer you and your colleagues our deepest thanks for your efforts to oppose this unjust law. We especially appreciate the fact that you were prepared to continue the debate during the national holiday of Quebec.
Your actions, which were successful in provoking a resumption of negotiations, demonstrate the importance of a strong progressive opposition. We remain committed to continue to work with you and the members of your caucus in the broader struggle for decent jobs for ourselves and for future generations of workers.
Denis Lemelin
Président national / National President
Sat, 2011-06-25 21:51
#56
June 25, 2011 - 21:00
Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Bulletin
For Immediate Release
OTTAWA – The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the Harper government has sent a message to all workers with its unjust and punitive bill legislating postal workers back to work.
“The government is clearly willing to side with employers to grind down wages and working conditions,” said CUPW National President Denis Lemelin. “Its decision to use back-to-work legislation in the Canada Post and Air Canada disputes was not neutral. The Conservatives have shown themselves to be very anti-worker after only two months of majority government.”
Lemelin said the government’s assertion that its legislation was necessary to protect the economy is illogical. He said postal workers had offered to return to work. “The government has attacked our right to freely negotiate the conditions we work under,” said Lemelin. “It appears that only markets and employers will have freedoms in this country.”
“The union’s struggle for safe work, decent jobs and pensions will continue in spite of this unjust and punitive bill. Fortunately, the government can’t legislate away our determination to fight for our rights,” said Lemelin.
Lemelin added that postal workers are very grateful for the support they received from people all across the country and opposition Members of Parliament, especially members of the New Democratic Party (NDP) who eloquently defended free collective bargaining for 58 hours straight. He said the NDP’s filibuster was successful in provoking a resumption of negotiations between CUPW and Canada Post over the last few days, but that the negotiations had ultimately failed.
“Canada Post was uncompromising from the moment Harper’s government introduced back-to-work legislation,” said Lemelin.
Sun, 2011-06-26 19:46
#57
June 26, 2011 - 11:00
Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Bulletin
Negotiations Bulletin no. 77
With the passage of Bill C-6, the Harper government has declared war on postal workers and all working people. The anti-worker bias of this government was demonstrated clearly yesterday when the Conservative government of Stephen Harper vetoed every attempt by the opposition parties to amend the legislation. The government even said no to proposals that would give the arbitrator the ability to mediate between the parties. As expected, the government imposed a wage increase that is less than the last offer presented by Canada Post management.
NEB Unanimously Decides To Return To Work
The National Executive Board has unanimously decided that CUPW will return to work in accordance with the terms of the legislation. The legislation provides for enormous financial penalties for individuals and union representatives in the case of defiance. We believe that this government would use any excuse to destroy the union should we defy the legislation, and we will not give them any opportunity to do so. CUPW will be contacting Canada Post to discuss a return-to-work procedure, and we will notify you concerning the procedure for returning to work.
Postal Workers Can Be Very Proud
All CUPW members can go back to work with our heads held high. Throughout this struggle, we showed unprecedented strength, solidarity, determination and courage.
Just as we were united on the picket lines, we need to be united and strong when we are back in the workplace. We need to send a strong message to Canada Post that the lockout was wrong, and that their reliance on legislation is shameful. We need to support our shop stewards and local union representatives who will be on the front line in our struggles with management.
Our Struggle Continues
We are returning to work, but we are not defeated. CUPW has been legislated back to work in the past and that has not stopped us from continuing our struggle for justice and dignity. The government cannot legislate away our solidarity and determination. We will continue to work with all of the groups and organizations that have supported us, including labour unions, women's groups, students, pensioners and our community and political allies to fight for decent jobs and pensions for all working people.
In solidarity,
Denis Lemelin
National President and Chief Negotiator
Tue, 2011-06-28 11:43
#58
Can anyone entertain a question from someone who is not very familiar with labour relations? I sometimes conduct imaginary debates in my head, trying to embody both sides of a progressive vs. neoliberal argument. In the case of the CPC Lockout, this manifested as follows:
PR: The Government of Canada should not impinge on collective bargaining rights by drafting back-to-work legislation.
NL: What should they do then to ensure Canadians are getting their mail?
PR: Canada Post is a crown corporation and the government has the jurisdictionary power to end the lockout.
NL: Well, do you want the government to interfere or don't you? Pick one.
As a progressive, how would you address the NL's last question? I feel like there's a very simple answer to that but I can't think of it. I also want to note that any sensible person can see that the CPC and government actions fly in the face of workers' rights, but Neoliberals tend to obfuscate the argument, which can totally throw one off balance and derail the thrust of the discussion.
Tue, 2011-06-28 12:38
#59
Northern Shoveler
Simple, leave it to the parties to bargain in good faith. The only proper role is for the CLRB to tell CPC to bargain like they mean it. No intervention is always the best policy. The only time the government intervenes in on the side of management never to impose a worker friendly agreement.
Free collective bargaining should be a Charter right not a song and dance done until the government brings down the hammer. Unfortunately a careful reading of the HEU decision leads to the conclusion that all that is Charter protected is the song and dance.
As for convincing the average blockhead try asking whether they think the government should be involved in the negotiations between their local pub and the grocery retailers they buy food from. A collective agreement is just a contract between two parties. Why should the government be involved except to ensure no party is trying to perpetrate a fraud. Should the government intervene to ensure the grocer keeps the price of food low so you can get cheap food while you watch the hockey game?
Why should the government only be involved in contract talks when unions are one of the parties?
Tue, 2011-06-28 17:14
#60
peterjcassidy
While there is an arms length relationship between the government and a crown corporation such as Canada Post, that arm has a fist on it. There are a number of ways the government could act to ensure free collective bargaining and the mail moves. PM Harper could have a quiet little chat with the president of Canada Post about job performance. or Lisa Rait could say to management and the union something like:
"This government supports free collective bargaining and the mail moving. Rotating strikes may be a bit of a pain but we can live with them for a while, not too long and only so long as they are not excessively disruptive, We can not live with a lock-out that shuts down the mail across the country indefinitely. So here's the deal. Lift the lock-out, get back to the bargaining table and settle this. If not, we may have to intervene and, Canada Post, you may not like how we intervene. That's it. Now go and settle this."
Its being a competent manager in a free collective bargaining society.
Tue, 2011-06-28 17:21
#61
Catchfire
PR: The Government of Canada should not impinge on collective bargaining rights by drafting back-to-work legislation.NL: What should they do then to ensure Canadians are getting their mail?
It is not the Government's job to make sure Canadians are getting their mail. That's why they created Canada Post: it is, in fact, their job. This NL query also begs the question that postal workers are not invested or interested in Canadians getting their mail, which, of course, they are. NS and peter are quite right: if the Government of Canada wants the mail to be delivered, trust the crown corporation it created and its employers to come to a fair agreement. Ensure that both parties operate in good faith and don't, as is the case with the CUPW strike, feign interest in mail when your real interest is privatizing the industry and punishing unions for exercizing their democratic right of collective action.
Tue, 2011-06-28 20:31
#62
I have not posted here in years. I am a CUPW member, most of my recent internet usage has been on facebook, following CUPW groups and/or watching CPAC, between picket duty.I do follow rabble religiously, though. I was curious as i was involved in the CUPW struggles of 1987 and 1991, and remember our fightbacks against the Mulroney government. I also know a bit of history of my great union. Yesterday before our final picket party to celebrate our solidarity, i decided to google who was prime minister in 1965 when our union was formed from a management run association at the time. I didn't double check my facts for lack of time, but this is what i posted on facebook. At least i and a few others found it interesting."
Today i was pondering my 30 year career at Canada Post. Our nastiest times were the strikes of 1987 and 1991, and this year's lockout. The Prime minister's for those years were conservatives, Brian Mulroney and Stephen Harper, its like whence in power attack CUPW,known as an anti establishment socialist style union.I also went back in history to the roots of my union CUPW 1965. Twas a very good year- Lester Pearson (lib) had a minority government, with the help of the NDP(ccf) and social credit parties, came the advent of the autopact,Canada pension plan, socialized medicine, the Canadian flag was adopted and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and the former Letter carriers union of Canada were formed and won the right to strike. 2011, Conservative government, no more autopact, healthcare in crises, Canada pension plan in crises, and collective bargaining rights destroyed. perhaps 2015 can be like 1965 if we want it bad enough."
btw NDP Joe Comartin made it back to town to attend our rally and speak to our members,kudos
ps i posted this in the filibuster babble then the moderator shut down the topic.
Wed, 2011-06-29 08:20
#63
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers plans to take Canada Post to court to challenge the federal government's legislation forcing its members back to work.
The back-to-work legislation was passed into law Sunday, and mail began to be delivered Tuesday.
The union says it won't defy the law, and mail delivery will continue, but it will challenge the legislation in court, arguing in part that it discriminates against new employees.
The union's national executive made the decision at a meeting in Ottawa on Tuesday to decide on action.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/06/29/postal-union-court.html
Wed, 2011-06-29 08:45
#64
Thanks for the input. It's all so clear now.
@Caissa
The comments under the story you linked to are disturbing. I'd like to think they are Conservative plants posting them, but it is shocking nonetheless. All of the comments exhibit a thorough misunderstanding of the greater implications of union bashing.
Sat, 2021-11-20 14:00
#65
.
Wed, 2011-07-06 18:36
#66
perhaps 2015 can be like 1965 if we want it bad enough.
Amen!
And please accept our best wishes and solidarity in your ongoing struggle -
Continuons le combat!
Thu, 2011-07-14 23:15
#67
July 13, 2011 - 08:30
Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Bulletin
Negotiations Bulletin no. 80
Following the end of the national lockout, postal workers were confronted with a huge backlog of mail. Rather than taking the necessary steps to ensure the prompt restoration of delivery, CPC management took a retaliatory approach and denied workers the opportunity to provide service to the public. Nationally, we have seen an arbitrary application of overtime and extension of hours, contrary to the established practice prior to the lockout. In many locations, management has been more interested in creating division among the workforce than it has in providing good postal service. This unilateral refusal of management to devote sufficient resources, has resulted in CPC violating the standards established in the Canadian Postal Service Charter.
Quote: Tomorrow, July 14, 2011, the National Negotiating Committee will meet with legal counsel to begin the process of preparing for the arbitration, which was imposed upon us as part of the unjust back-to-work legislation. Despite the unjust nature of the legislation, we will make every effort to ensure that the positions of the union are thoroughly presented to the arbitrator. We will deploy all of necessary resources, including using the services of consultants and experts, to represent the interests of postal workers.....
http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm?ci_id=13466&la_id=1
Fri, 2011-07-29 01:16
#68
July 22, 2011 - 17:05
Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Letter
BY FAX AND MAIL
JUL 22 2011
Mr. Mark MacDonell
Chief Negotiator
Canada Post Corporation
2701 Riverside Drive
Ottawa, ON KlA OB1
Fax: 613-734-7128
Mr. Denis Lemelin
National President I Chief Negotiator
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
377 Bank Street
Ottawa, ON K2P 1Y3
Fax: 613-563-7861
Dear Sirs:
Collective bargaining dispute between Canada Post Corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (Urban Postal Operations Unit) - Appointment of an arbitrator pursuant to the Restoring Mail Delivery for Canadians Act
Pursuant to section 8 of the Restoring Mail Delivery for Canadians Act (the 'Act'), I wish to advise you that the Honourable Justice Coulter Arthur Anthony Osborne has been appointed to hear and decide the outstanding issues in the above-cited dispute.
Mr. Justice Osborne will contact the parties to schedule the dates and place of hearing. The parties will be responsible to provide him with all information and documents needed to deal with this matter.
According to section 17 of the Act, all costs incurred by Her Majesty in right of Canada relating to the appointment of the arbitrator and the performance of the arbitrator's duties are debts due to Her Majesty in right of Canada and may be recovered as such, in equal parts from the employer and the union.
Yours sincerely,
The Honourable Lisa Raitt, P.C., M.P.
c.c. The Honourable Justice Coulter Arthur Anthony Osborne
Fri, 2011-07-29 10:35
#69
Totally predictable. Instead of naming a real labour arbitrator - i.e., someone they can't trust - they name some judge with zero background in labour law, mediation, etc. This is bad news.
Fri, 2011-07-29 10:42
#70
Northern Shoveler
I have seen this playbook before and it always ends badly for the union. It adds insult to injury to make the union pay for the costs of this executioner.
Who use three first names except pompous assholes?
Fri, 2011-07-29 11:11
#71
Northern Shoveler
This man was appointed as Integrity Commissioner by the Harris government in 2001. He may not have any labour credentials but he sure has Conservative ones.
Sun, 2011-09-04 08:09
#72
August 30, 2011 - 13:15
Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Bulletin
Negotiations Bulletin no. 86
In the media and in parliament Canada Post management and Conservative politicians made all sorts of claims to justify the passage of back-to-work legislation. As seen below, some even claimed that CPC was losing hundreds of millions of dollars. Now, with the publication of CPC financial data, we can test the accuracy of their statements.
What was said to justify the legislation
“Had we seen the same amount of movement before the beginning of strikes, we would have been in a much better position to reach a deal. However, after incurring hundreds of millions of dollars in losses, we are even in a worse position to pay for all of the demands.”
Deepak Chopra. CPC President and CEO and Jacques Côté CPC Chief Operating Officer: Open letter to employees, June 23, 2011
“There were rotating strikes that were causing huge problems for the corporation and costing hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Hon. Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport): House of Commons Debates, June 23, 2011
“Canada Post estimates that it is losing $25 million per day during this work stoppage.”
Ms. Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice: House of Commons Debates, June 23, 2011
“Before the lockout, Canada Post was losing, I understand, about $22 million to $24 million a day. After the lockout, Canada Post was losing approximately half of that, $10 million to $12 million a day at present…”
Hon. Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport): Appearing before the Senate, June 26, 2011
The Truth: $35 million loss between April 2, 2011 and July 2, 2011
CUPW began rotating strikes on June 3, 2011. During the next 12 days approximately 50% of the public was directly impacted, usually for one day. On June 15, 2011 CPC imposed a full-scale national lockout that lasted until June 27th.
CPC is now required to release a financial statement every three months. The figures reveal that the Corporation did not lose anything close to the hundreds of millions of dollars claimed by Chopra, Côté, Fletcher and Findlay.
For the thirteen weeks which include the entire strike/lockout period the Canada Post segment (not including Purolator and other subsidiaries) experienced an after tax loss of $35 million. Compared to the same period in 2010 costs were reduced by $52 million and revenues decreased by $108 million.
The numbers also show us that CUPW’s job action strategy was right on target. Just as intended, our rotating strikes put a pinch on Canada Post’s revenues without harming the public or threatening Canada Post’s future viability. But instead of responding to the pressure by taking negotiations more seriously, CPC fabricated dollar figures to bring about government action.
Canada Post Corporation Profitable in 2011
The CPC Quarterly Report also reveals that Canada Post Corporation (including Purolator and other subsidiaries) is on the way for another profitable year in 2011. For the first six months of 2011 the Corporation has reported an after tax profit of $3 million. Usually the last six months of the year account for the majority of CPC’s profits. All signs indicate that 2011 may yet be a very profitable year despite the financial impact of the national full-scale lock-out initiated by Canada Post management.
When Parliament resumes this September, we will be raising this issue of misinformation with the Honourable Members of the House of Commons and the Senate.
In solidarity,
Denis Lemelin
National President and Chief Negotiator
Sun, 2011-09-04 08:43
#73
How do you tell when a Conservative is lying?
Their lips move!
In Solidarity!
Fri, 2011-09-23 17:06
#74
September 20, 2011 - 15:45
Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Bulletin
Negotiations Bulletin no. 87
After a short delay, due to the need for the Union to obtain new legal counsel, the final offer selection interest arbitration for the CUPW Urban Operations Bargaining Unit at Canada Post Corporation has commenced.
Following conference calls and a meeting with Judge Osborne the union has submitted a request to CPC for the information it will need to ensure that the components of its “final offer” are in accordance with the mandate of the arbitrator as established in the back – to – work legislation....
http://www.cupw.ca/newsletter.cfm?n=97A8E70B-E400-BE88-A2E668AA90C39B81&...
Fri, 2011-09-30 21:52
#75
..here's a full update on where things are at after the legislation.
Sat, 2011-10-22 16:41
#76
M. Spector
Federal court judge Luc Martineau ruled this week that the arbitration must be stopped until January. That’s when the court hears the union’s arguments against Raitt’s appointment of former judge Coulter A. Osborne as arbitrator.“I am satisfied that [b]the union has overwhelmingly established the existence of irreparable harm. There is clear evidence of harm and the instances of harm alleged by the union are not hypothetical or conjectural[/b], as argued by Canada Post,” Martineau wrote in his ruling.
[b]“Labour arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism has traditionally and functionally rested on a consensual basis, with the arbitrator chosen by the parties or being acceptable to both parties. That did not occur in (this) case,”[/b] Martineau added.
Earlier this month, the union filed a separate suit challenging the government’s back-to-work legislation.
The union has argued that Osborne isn’t qualified to act as arbitrator because he’s unilingual, and doesn’t have enough background in labour relations law.
“This decision shows that the union is on the right track. We are questioning the process by which this government has forced its will on postal workers,” said Denis Lemelin, CUPW National President and chief negotiator in a written statement.
- [url=http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1074216--court-delivers-win-for-... Star[/url]
Thu, 2012-03-15 19:19
#77
Canada Post: Lisa Raitt’s new arbitrator in labour dispute ran twice for Tories
Labour Minister Lisa Raitt has appointed a new arbitrator with ties to the Conservatives to settle a contract between Canada Post and its 48,000 postal workers.
Raitt has named Guy Dufort, a retired labour lawyer who ran twice for the Conservatives, to replace retired Ontario judge Coulter Osborne, who quit last November after the union went to court to challenge his appointment.
A Federal Court judge later sided with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, arguing that the arbitrator should be bilingual. Dufort is bilingual and has offices in both Montreal and Ottawa.....
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1146322--canada-post-lisa-raitt-...
Wed, 2012-08-08 14:11
#78
Canada Post: Lisa Raitt’s new arbitrator in labour dispute ran twice for Tories
Labour Minister Lisa Raitt has appointed a new arbitrator with ties to the Conservatives to settle a contract between Canada Post and its 48,000 postal workers.
Raitt has named Guy Dufort, a retired labour lawyer who ran twice for the Conservatives, to replace retired Ontario judge Coulter Osborne, who quit last November after the union went to court to challenge his appointment.
... and CUPW challenged the second appointment in court - and now [url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/08/08/pol-canada-post-arbitrato... Federal Court has turfed Dufort![/url]
After he was appointed by Raitt in March, Dufort disclosed to the union that he had been a prosecutor for Canada Post during the pay equity dispute from 1998 to 2003 and that he had been involved with the Conservative Party of Canada until 2010.
Dufort was president of the Quebec wing of the Progressive Conservative Party from 1994 to 1999 and when it merged with the Conservative Party of Canada in 2003, he was involved in writing the party's new constitution, according to the court decision. He also ran as a candidate three times.
[...]
To help make its case that Dufort was an inappropriate choice, the union used Dufort's Facebook page, saying that Conservative party groups were listed as "activities and interests" and that Raitt and Steven Fletcher, who is minister of state for transport in 2011, were both listed as "friends." Canada Post falls under Fletcher's portfolio. Those references on Dufort's Facebook page were removed in May.
Third time a charm, Ms. Raitt? Try again.
ETA: Meh, Caissa scooped me by 8 minutes in [url=http://rabble.ca/babble/labour-and-consumption/raitts-zero#comment-13587... thread[/url].
Wed, 2012-08-08 18:18
#79
The only problem with this is that the longer it drags on the worse off Canada Post is. All this is accomplishing is to put both sides out of business.
I do almost nothing by mail now - all banking transactions and bill payments are done on line - If it's truly important and hard copy actually has to get someplace on time I use a courier service. As for personal correspondence there's this thing called "email".
And I'm hardly unique.
Of course there's always junk mail but that's about it.
Wed, 2012-08-08 19:42
#80
Abnormal, I have great news for you - the Cons legislated Canada Post back to work (from a lockout) some 14 months ago, and there have been no bothersome labour disruptions since! Perhaps the news is a bit slow arriving wherever you live. You can mail with impunity, thanks to Stephen Harper. And please don't kiss the messenger. I'm just the bearer of good news.
Thu, 2012-08-09 00:20
#81
radiorahim
And by the way, you know that pay equity case that turfed Tory Dufort worked on? Canada Post still hasn't paid out a red cent. PSAC put out that press release at the end of May...nothing has changed.
My guess is that the union is probably going to have to go back to court to get the Supreme Court's order enforced.
Fri, 2012-08-10 17:19
#82
Abnormal, I have great news for you - the Cons legislated Canada Post back to work (from a lockout) some 14 months ago, and there have been no bothersome labour disruptions since! Perhaps the news is a bit slow arriving wherever you live. You can mail with impunity, thanks to Stephen Harper. And please don't kiss the messenger. I'm just the bearer of good news.
Doesn't matter. I don't mail and I don't know many people that do.
I know my bank sends nothing via the post office unless they have no choice. Ditto my kid's schools - I get an email notice that their bills are due [that's the only thing I actually physically send is his school fees and that goes via courier - strikes aside I don't trust the post office].
Fri, 2016-04-29 15:38
#83
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers plans to take Canada Post to court to challenge the federal government's legislation forcing its members back to work.
The back-to-work legislation was passed into law Sunday, and mail began to be delivered Tuesday.
The union says it won't defy the law, and mail delivery will continue, but it will challenge the legislation in court, arguing in part that it discriminates against new employees.
The union's national executive made the decision at a meeting in Ottawa on Tuesday to decide on action.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/06/29/postal-union-court.html
Well, for some reason it took almost 5 years... but [size=18]a win's a win!!![/size]:
[url=http://www.cupw.ca/en/posties-win-big-tory-back-work-legislation-ruled-u... Win Big: Tory Back-to-Work Legislation Ruled Unconstitutional[/url]
Thursday April 28 2016
For Immediate Release
OTTAWA – Postal workers are cheering today’s ruling that the former Conservative government violated its members’ freedom of association by legislating them back to work on June 26, 2011.
“This is a win for workers everywhere,” said Mike Palecek, National President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
“In 2011, Canada Post and the Conservative government gamed the system by first locking postal workers out and then forcing us back to work. This interference was completely unfair and meant we could not freely bargain.”
The ruling by Ontario Superior Court Justice Firestone declares that the Conservative legislation, which also imposed an offer on the postal workers, “violates the rights to freedom of association and freedom of expression” under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms sections 2d) and 2b), and that it is “unconstitutional and of no force and effect.”
“Let this be a warning to Deepak Chopra and his 22 vice presidents that the legislation trick won’t work this time,” said Palecek.
CUPW is currently in negotiations and Canada Post CEO Deepak Chopra, who shut Canada Post’s doors nation-wide and locked out the postal workers in 2011, remains at the helm. The Crown Corporation management has applied for conciliation and refuses to entertain any of the postal workers’ demands for improved services and an end to concessions.
“Canada Post is already trying to push things by starting the countdown to a lockout,” said Palecek.
“This time, they won’t be able to count on the government to make it easy for them.”
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For more information, please contact Aalya Ahmad, CUPW Communications, 613-327-1177 or [email protected].
Congratulations sisters and brothers - hope Justin Trudeau is paying attention! The Charter was his dad's contribution, but successive Liberal (and Con) governments have ignored it.
Mon, 2016-06-27 13:34
#84
..my bold
Postal union braces for July lockout
The postal workers’ union says that Canada Post wants to shut down the post office in early July, citing management’s refusal to budge on changes to pensions, benefits and job security.
“We’re expecting them to lock us out,” said Mike Palecek, national president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. “We believe this was about timing. They want to have the dispute in July when the federal task force is supposed to be talking about the future of Canada Post.”
Earlier this month, the federal government ordered a formal review of Canada Post's operations, including the proposal to end door-to-door delivery.
Formal negotiations continue at an Ottawa hotel, though Palecek says Canada Post is asking for concessions on job security, benefits and eliminating the defined benefit pension plan, replacing it with a defined contribution plan.
“Things are tense. There is not a whole of progress being made,” he said.
Two separate contracts are being negotiated — an urban one with 42,000 members and the rural-suburban one with about 8,000.
For the union, changes to the pension plan are a no go. “We would absolutely not accept that,” he said.
Canada Post insists it is working toward getting a deal, but has also begun to warn its biggest customers of the looming July 2 deadline....
Tue, 2016-06-28 07:17
#85
Postal Workers Overwhelmingly Vote to Support Equity, Improvements and No Concessions
Monday June 27 2016
2015-2019/126
No 26
Here are the results of the strike votes conducted for employees in the Urban and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers bargaining units.
Members were asked if they agreed to authorize the CUPW National Executive Board to call strike activities if necessary to achieve our demands, stop the employer’s rollbacks and improve service to the public.
The result of the vote is:
Urban Operations unit: 94.19% YES
Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers unit: 91.26% YES
The Negotiating Committee wishes to express its appreciation to the membership for providing us with this magnificent display of support.
Tue, 2016-06-28 19:39
#86
CPC Global Offer: What’s Missing?
The Global Offer of Canada Post contains many serious rollbacks and inadequate proposals. Also it fails to address many of our demands. Here are a few of them.
Our DemandsCanada Post Position
1.
Wage increase above inflation
No
2.
Hourly rate for RSMCs
No
3.
Pay for all hours worked for RSMC
No
4.
Equal Pay and benefits for RSMCs
No
5.
Single bundle for letter carriers
No
6.
Strengthen the right to refuse
No
7.
Increase full-time jobs in Group 1
No
8.
Full job security for all regular employees
No
9.
Substantial wage adjustment for Groups 3 and 4
No: $0.50 per hour for some
10.
Eliminate low wages for new hires
No
11.
Top up benefits for parental and compassionate leave
No
12.
Improve rights and benefits for temporary employees and OCREs
No
13.
One collective agreement for Urban and RSMCs
No
14.
Recognition of social stewards in collective agreement
No
15.
Guaranteed number of hours for RSMCs
No
16.
New classification for heavy duty vehicle mechanics
No
17.
Increased hours at retail counters
No
18.
Introduce new services such as banking, internet
No
19.
No contracting out of work
No
20.
Restore sick leave
No
21.
100% pay for injury-on-duty
No
22.
Ergonomic studies on new equipment and work methods
No
23.
Prior to hiring from outside offer urban positions to RSMCs
No
24.
Restore door-to-door delivery where it was removed
No
Fri, 2016-07-01 19:14
#87
Canada Post refuses postie request to extend cooling off period
Canada Post CEO Deepak Chopra has officially rejected a letter from postal workers asking him to extend the July 2 deadline for a lockout by a period of two weeks, which could mean that the profitable company is indeed preparing to lock out its workforce in the middle of a public postal review, spoiling the process.
“We only got their first real ‘offer’ last Saturday and it still contained a raft of cuts to our working standards that they know we could never accept,” said Mike Palecek, national president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
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.
“Canada Post managers started this countdown to a labour dispute by filing for conciliation shockingly early on in the negotiations process,” said Palecek.
“They don’t really want to give us a chance to settle a deal. They want us out and they want the public to blame the postal workers for management’s decisions.”
Sun, 2016-07-03 09:06
#88
Today we presented CPC with our Global Offers for both the urban and RSMC collective agreements. As a result, we will not be servicing our 72-hour notice. Therefore, there will be no industrial action prior to July 6th.
Here are some of the highlights of our offer. You can find a complete summary on the CUPW website....
Wed, 2016-07-06 20:23
#89
Trudeau government must put an end to Canada Post’s pension attack
quote:
"This government was elected on a commitment to support good jobs and help Canadians afford retirement. Canada Post’s attack on its workers’ pensions is completely out of step with that standard,” said Yussuff.
“Prime Minister Trudeau and Public Services Minister Judy Foote cannot stand on the sidelines – they need to tell Canada Post that its attack on pensions is unacceptable,” Yussuff added.
“At a time when Canada Post is reporting consistent profits, they are peddling a myth that they are struggling financially, in order to slash pensions for new employees and justify unfair wages,” Yussuff added. “Indeed, no other Crown corporation is threatening to introduce a two-tier pension that would put future workers’ retirement security at risk."
Wed, 2016-07-06 21:28
#90
I wish someone would change the title of this thread. CUPW is not going to strike they are going to be locked out. You would think on this board at least the difference would be noted.
Wed, 2016-07-06 22:19
#91
I wish someone would change the title of this thread. CUPW is not going to strike they are going to be locked out. You would think on this board at least the difference would be noted.
It's a 2011 thread, unfortunately, when CUPW did in fact run rotating strikes.
Bad tactic, I thought at the time (sorry to be critical). And when Harper and his Canada Post hacks got fed up, they engineered a lockout, which served as Harper's back-to-work legislation pretext. I dearly hope (and I do believe) that CUPW is playing it smarter now. But the key is not tactics. It's keeping your eye on the main prize. If anyone can halt the craven abject drive to making concessions on behalf of the unborn (not yet hired), I'm confident it will be CUPW and their allies.
Thu, 2016-07-07 08:26
#92
Canada Post Corporation is set to lock out 50,000 postal workers and jeopardize mail service across Canada as early as this Friday. In spite of long-standing profitability, Canada Post is proposing steep concessions that would entrench unfair wages and undermine pensions for future generations.
The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) responded by calling on the Trudeau government to rein in the Crown corporation. CLC President Hassan Yussuff called out Canada Post’s pension stance as inconsistent with the federal government’s stated commitment to improving retirement security, particularly for future generations.
[..]
The Canadian Labour Congress is calling on the Trudeau government to ensure Canada Post negotiates a fair deal that does not compromise pensions for future generations.
http://canadianlabour.ca/news/news-archive/canada-post-pension-attack