Postal strike looming

Editor's Note: In the event of a postal strike the local delivery of the Record will not be affected.However, subscribers outside the local area (Rainy River to Emo)will not receive any papers until the strike is over.

News Releases
CUPW/Canada Post

From CUPW
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has made a final offer to Canada Post in the hopes of negotiating a settlement.
The union has also given the notice, required by the Canada Labour Code, of its intent to strike if there is no settlement following its final offer. The union will be in a legal position to strike on Thursday, June 2, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
CUPW national president Denis Lemelin spoke to reporters at a press conference in Ottawa on Monday, May 29. Lemelin said the union is willing to bargain right up to the strike deadline to get a contract based on its final offer, which means that a work disruption could still be averted even though the union has given notice of its intent to strike.
Both sides have agreed that federal pension and old age security cheques would be delivered in the event of a strike, but all other mail and parcel delivery would cease.

From Canada Post
The union is prepared to shut down Canada’s postal system even though the company has proposed a deal that gives employees better pay and benefits than they currently enjoy. The latest counter offer from the union does nothing to address the significant challenges facing the company.
Canada Post’s offer provides:
Annual wage increases leading to a top rate of $26 per hour for both new and existing employees;
A defined benefit pension plan for both new and existing employees despite a $3.2-billion solvency deficit;
Up to seven weeks vacation;
Job security for both new and existing employees.
With in excess of 17% Lettermail volume decline since 2006, Canada Post’s challenges are well understood.
To address these challenges we have proposed a competitive and comprehensive pay and benefits package for employees hired in the future. The offer put forward for new employees will still make Canada Post an attractive place to work.
If there is a work disruption mail and parcels will not be delivered. However, contingency plans are in place to ensure the safety of any items that remain in the mail stream during a work disruption. There are also plans to ensure Canada Post returns to normal operations as quickly as possible following any work disruption.
Customers of Canada Post can find updated information about the company’s labour situation online at www.infopost.ca/customer. The French version of the website can be found at www.infoposte.ca/client.