Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

OTTAWA – Canada Post workers gave their bargaining team the strongest strike mandate in their union’s history. The workers are members of the Union of Postal and Communications Employees (UPCE), a component of the 165,000 member Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

“The membership have stated loud and clear that Canada Post’s “take it or leave it” offer is completely unacceptable,” said Richard Des Lauriers, National President of the Union of Postal and Communications Employees (UPCE), a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. “The PSAC bargaining team has invited the employer back to the bargaining table. With this mandate in hand they can provide a strong message to Canada Post to take the concessions off the table and negotiate in good faith.”

PSAC members voted 88% in favour of strike action. The national strike vote took place at membership meetings between October 1 and October 17, 2008.

The Union’s bargaining team will meet with Canada Post negotiators all this week with the assistance of a mediator to try to reach an agreement.

“We will be working hard to reach a negotiated settlement without having to take strike action”, said Gerry Halabecki, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President “But Canada Post is going to have to reconsider their position on issues like wages, sick leave, job security, shift schedules and bargaining unit work.”

“UPCE members are not alone in their fight with Canada Post,” said John Gordon, PSAC National President. “They can count on the support of other PSAC members if they are forced to take strike action to win a just collective agreement.”

If no agreement is reached, the earliest possible strike date is November 9, 2008.

For information:
Alain Cossette, PSAC Communications (613) 293-9210