With pensions and benefits at the root of rotating strikes by postal workers, Canada Post has made some concessions an efforts to secure an agreement with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).
Canada Post has agreed to maintain a fully indexed DB plan for new hires, rather than move to a DC plan as it had originally planned.The Crown Corporation has offered a wage increase and job security in return for a new sick leave program and lower pay rates for future employees, a Canada Post release indicated today.
“The company has a fair offer on the table—one that protects existing employees and provides a number of improvements including a competitive wage increase,” said a Canada Post representative. “Canada Post strongly urges the union to accept its offer. It is important that we move forward and secure the future of the postal system—for employees and customers.”
The CUPW collective agreement expired on Jan. 31, 2011 but talks began on Oct. 21, 2010. Canada Post suspended its workers’ health and dental coverage when the union issued its strike notice in May.
Recognizing the importance of pensions, CUPW has signed an agreement with Canada Post to deliver government pension and social assistance cheques. However, not all governments have decided to use this service.
The federal government will have Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and child benefits cheques delivered. Quebec, Saskatchewan and Alberta will use the post office to deliver cheques, but not necessarily all cheques.
Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut have opted not to have social assistance cheques delivered through Canada Post.