Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) set up picket lines early this morning at the Canada Post mail processing plants in Victoria and Vancouver to protest against the corporation’s efforts to impose a new short term disability system that was clearly rejected by almost 9 out of 10 of those employees.

“Our members voted 88% in favour of strike action because they don’t want the new short term disability system,” said PSAC National President, John Gordon. “They just want to protect the sick leaves and family leaves they have acquired in the past,” he added.

The collective agreement between PSAC and Canada Post expired on August 31, 2008. The union served the employer a notice to bargain on May 1, 2008, and the negotiations began on June 4, 2008.

In defence of the strike, Gordon explained that members have considered the strike option only because they have been pushed to the wall.

“Our ultimate goal has always been to negotiate a contract before we would have to go to the picket line,” said Gordon. “Management at Canada Post Corporation has to learn that they cannot unilaterally impose working conditions to its workers without negotiating with the union first,” he concluded.

Gordon also said that PSAC members at Canada Post could count on the support of all their PSAC brothers and sisters across the country. There are approximately 2,400 PSAC members working at Canada Post. Their strike would have an impact on mail delivery in Canada.

The PSAC also filed complaints of unfair labour practice against Canada Post Corporation for decimating false information amongst its employees regarding the negotiations with the PSAC and for disregarding provisions of the Canada Labour Code.

The misleading statements appeared in CPC internal communications. The employer indicated that changes to the sick leave and family leave provisions in the collective agreement will come into effect on January 1, 2010. This statement ignored the fact that these changes have not yet been negotiated with the union.

The union also accused the employer of trying to discredit the union by directly contacting PSAC members and providing misleading and erroneous statements with regards to events at the bargaining table.

For information: Victoria: Dave Jackson, PSAC Regional Representataive (250) 888-0584 Vancouver: Garry Fraser, PSAC Regional Representative (604) 317 4979