Canada Post has issued 72 hours notice to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) of a possible lockout of employees that is required under the labour code.
In a press release issued on tuesday the corporation is citing a dramatic loss of business due to potential labour unrest as the reason for issuing the notice.
“As of Friday, July 8, 2016, the terms and conditions of the current collective agreements will no longer apply. Under the new terms and conditions, employees will continue to receive their regular pay and some benefits such as applicable prescription drug coverage. Other items will be cancelled in line with the statutory minimum conditions established under the Canada Labour Code. The Corporation will also have the flexibility to adjust staffing according to the amount of work required.”
CUPW believes the lockout notice is a ploy in an effort to impose steep concessions on them.
“We knew this was their game all along. They are sabotaging the public review of the post office. They refused to negotiate fairly with us and now they ‘re locking the doors and will try to starve us into submission,” said Mike Palecek, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
Many large corporations and governments in Canada have contingencies in place should a labour dispute shut down postal delivery, including Manitoba.
POSTAL STRIKE | PROVINCE PREPARES FOR DISRUPTION IN MAIL DELIVERY
