Hopes are high Canada Post and CUPW can avoid work stoppage
by The Canadian Press
Neither Canada Post nor the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have submitted the required 72 hours notice of a lockout
OTTAWA—Canada Post says talks with the union representing postal workers continue and it still hopes to negotiate a deal.
Spokesman Jon Hamilton says the company has not given the required 72 hours notice of a lockout, nor has the union given notice of any job action.
Both sides remain at the negotiating table and Hamilton says he hopes they can reach an agreement that is “affordable and reasonable.”
Changes to employee pension plans have been a key sticking point in negotiations.
Canada Post made new contract proposals about a week ago, and the union presented a counter-offer on Friday.
That offer includes wage hikes and rejects Canada Post’s plan that would have new employees get a pension plan that operates like an RRSP, called defined contribution, instead of the defined benefit plan for current employees that guarantees a set level of retirement benefits.
Hamilton says Canada Post has expressed frustration over the union’s proposal, which he says “puts us in the exact opposite direction of where we need to be as a company.”
