The head of a local postal union is taking issue with the latest statement from Canada Post amid ongoing negotiations that have stretched nearly two years.
The Crown corporation said in a news release October 10, they are urging the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to go back to the table after proposing another final offer, October 3.
However, Juanita MacInnis, president of the Port Hawkesbury Local, told our newsroom, that is not exactly true.
“They are lying. They left the table. You can’t negotiate if you left the table,” said MacInnis.
She said it’s been a long wait and regarding the offer presented, she doesn’t believe they [Canada Post] are expecting any answer other than, ‘no’.
“They gave us the exact same offer May 28, I believe it was, and then they added a few more cuts. So, why would we change our mind when 70 per cent voted no on that offer,” added MacInnis.
She added that through the negotiation process, although the corporation would put the union on a timeline to give an answer on proposals, Canada Post itself would go long stretches without talking.
“I don’t understand that,” said MacInnis. “People should meet in the middle if they’re negotiating. Stay at the table, right? Canada Post was 60 days before they got back to us at times.”
“We wish the government would make them literally stay at the table until we hammered a deal,” said MacInnis.
Mixed feelings
Members all over the country went on a nationwide strike after the federal government implemented changes last month- like less door-to-door delivery and cutting rural locations- due to what they call an existential crisis.
This changed to rotational strikes over the weekend, which MacInnis said, resulted in mixed feelings.
“For some, it’s a relief to go back to work and still negotiate. Some other people say, ‘no we gotta stay strong’,” said MacInnis. “But we have faith in our negotiators. They know what they’re doing. They’ve been doing it a long time.”
As for the changes, she said it feels like they are trying to be squeezed out.
“If you cut services, how are you supposed to generate any revenue,” said McInnis.
She added, many feel on edge about this.
“They said that they’re looking at 10 to 15,000 jobs minimum to be gone in four years. What does that do to the economy?”
CUPW is currently reviewing the latest offer.
We have reached out to Canada Post for comment.
