03) POSTAL WORKERS FIGHTING AGAINST CONCESSIONS
By Kimball Cariou
As this issue of People's Voice went to press, negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers were going down to the wire.
On May 22, making an attempt to "energize negotiations," CUPW presented a "global offer" to the Canada Post Corporation negotiating committee. The next day, Canada Post management replied that it was preparing a response. These developments meant that the union had not yet given the required 72‑hour notice of strike action, leaving May 28 as the earliest date for a potential walkout by the union's 54,000 members.
The CUPW negotiations are seen as the first major test of the new Harper majority government's strategy to roll back the labour movement. While Canada Post is technically an "arm's length" crown corporation, the company's drive to gut the collective bargaining agreement gains achieved over many years by its employees would signal a wider attack on the wages, benefits and pension rights of all public workers in the federal sector.
One indication of the importance attached to these negotiations by pro-business forces has been the vocal intervention by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. This far-right lobby group has sent a letter in support of Canada Post's attempt to impose lower wages and pensions for new hires, and to replace the banking of sick days with a new program reducing the ability of postal workers to access sick leave.
In a response, CUPW says, "We do not understand why the Canadian Federation of Independent Business is encouraging Canada Post to hold fast to bargaining positions, especially in connection with major negotiations issues such as new hires and sick leave. We think your members would be better served by an organization that encouraged bargaining rather than the kind of intransigence that leads to strikes... It may be difficult to get a settlement given the unprecedented number of concessions being demanded by Canada Post, but the union is determined to try. Unfortunately, letters such as yours encourage Canada Post not to try, which will not help our negotiations or your members."
After months of bargaining, Canada Post has proposed a 4-year agreement with wage increases of 1.75%, 1.75%, 1.9% and 2.0%. For new employees, the company is proposing a starting rate of $18/hour, which would be 22% less than the current starting rate for a letter carrier. CUPW points out that the wage offer is also well below the annual inflation rate of 3.3%. The union has also stressed that Canada Post has racked up 16 consecutive years of profits, including $281 million in the 2009 fiscal year.
While the company wants to continue installing new equipment and work methods which threaten the health and safety of its employees, CUPW has called for ergonomic studies prior to such changes, as well as improved rotation of duties and delivery methods.
In another key issue, Canada Post wants to eliminate the impose a Short Term Disability Plan administered by Manulife insurance, which provides for seven personal days per year. Employees with borrowed sick leave credits would have to reimburse Canada Post, and there would be no protection for short term illnesses once employees have exhausted their personal days.
Calling to protect the current sick leave plan, CUPW says the employer should address the reasons for the increasing number of days lost due to workplace injuries.
The union's bargaining position is backed up with a 94.5% strike vote by CUPW members.
(The above article is from the June 1-15, 2011, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)