CUPW Questions Claims of "Massive" Backlog

Welcomes mediator back, but feeling undermined by government tactics

OTTAWA, Nov. 21, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) members going to work are finding that the mail backlog has been highly exaggerated. The CUPW Toronto local reports that rather than the "hundreds of trailers" that Canada Post reported, they have about seventy – a backlog that can probably be cleared in a few days. Postal workers have seen one truck in London, six trailers in Hamilton, two in Halifax, 15 in Moncton, zero in Saint John and St. John's.

"So where did all that mail go overnight?" asks Mike Palecek, CUPW National President. "We're convinced that Canada Post manufactured a crisis just to get the government to intervene. If so, that's a huge concern, and it will further poison our work environment and labour relations for years and years to come."

Last night, Labour Minister Patty Hajdu re-appointed special mediator Morton Mitchnick to assist with negotiations between the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Canada Post. At the same time, the government announced it will table back-to-work legislation if a deal is not reached within days.

CUPW is glad to have Mr. Mitchnick's assistance again, but seriously concerned about the government's tactics. "Our negotiators will do their best to reach a negotiated settlement, but the government's announcement pulls the rug out from under us," comments Palecek.

"Canada Post's negotiators still have a brief opportunity to show up and bargain in good faith.
The Conservatives violated our right to free collective bargaining in 2011. Let's hope it doesn't happen again."

SOURCE Canadian Union of Postal Workers