News Release: Union to Canada Post — bargain at the table, don’t negotiate through the media
Published by Patrick November 17th, 2008 in Bargaining, Canada Post / Purolator, PSAC news releases Tags: Bargaining, Canada Post / Purolator, upce.OTTAWA –Canada Post has chosen to launch a media campaign rather than bargain directly and in good faith with the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), says the union that represents 2,400 striking Canada Post employees.
“Canada Post has not had a face to face meeting with the PSAC bargaining team since November 7,” says John Gordon, PSAC National President. “The PSAC bargaining team is fully able and willing to negotiate a collective agreement, but they need to be provided with sufficient opportunity to do so”.
Canada Post, on the eve of a strike, knowing full well that the PSAC bargaining team was not immediately available,chose to provide a single copy of a last minute offer to a mediator yesterday evening.
Shortly after, a press release detailing the offer was posted on the CPC web site.
“This is simply another example of CPC’s blatant disregard for its employees and the requirement to bargain fairly” said Mr. Gordon.
The PSAC has previously filed an unfair labour practice complaint against Canada Post Corporation for disseminating false information to its employees about ongoing negotiations with PSAC and for disregarding provisions of the Canada Labour Code.
The union also accused the employer of attempting to discredit the union by directly contacting PSAC members and making misleading and erroneous statements with regard to events at the bargaining table.
The collective agreement between UPCE/PSAC and Canada Post expired on August 31, 2008. Negotiations began on June 4, 2008. PSAC members voted 88 per cent in favour of strike action against Canada Post and are now on strike.
For information: Alain Cossette, PSAC Communications, (613) 293-9210