CUPW local president Ross Naroznick (left) is seen Tuesday with fellow postal workers as they warm up by a small fire outside the Canada Post Office on Kipling Street.--NEWS PHOTOS BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Canada Post is considering options to move negotiations forward after saying in a statement Tuesday that ongoing negotiations with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have “ground to a halt on key issues critical to the corporation’s future.”
According to the Crown corporation, the union, through the special mediator, will not be responding to a proposal brought forward by Canada Post to “bring more flexibility to its outdated, mail-based delivery model.”
Last Friday, the company reported a third-quarter loss of $315 million before taxes, and has reported losses of more than $3 billion since 2018.
“Canada Post requires negotiated agreements that let all employees focus on the future, without adding new fixed costs that will hamper its ability to compete,” the statement said.
Canada Post says it’s missed out on delivering an estimated 10 million parcels since the national strike of more than 55,000 workers across the country began.
Wednesday marks the strikes 13th day, impacting approximately 100 local postal workers in Medicine Hat, Redcliff, Brooks and surrounding communities who continue their push for better wages and working conditions, as well as expanded services offered.
Local union 776 president Ross Naroznick says negotiations have already led to changes in payment structures for rural postal workers, including Brooks, who will now receive a flat hourly wage for their work.
Naroznick explains this agreement will better reflect the hours that rural postal workers get paid.
“So, (currently) whatever the route pays is what they get paid, regardless of how long it takes. By switching to an hourly rate, they’re getting paid for all the hours worked. If it’s a heavier day and they’re out there for eight or nine hours, then they will get paid for that eight or nine hours.”
Naroznick says the agreement is a small victory for the union, which remains steadfast on several key demands involving wages, conditions and services like expanded parcel deliveries, postal banking and check-ins for seniors.
Naroznick told the News on Tuesday the union is not surprised by the debt Canada Post reported Friday, providing a small example of wasteful spending.
“We had to have somebody come from Calgary just to change our clock when we had daylight savings, because they wouldn’t let anybody climb a ladder,” he said. “This stuff is being contracted out, it’s costing a bunch.
“But there are people within our union, or those we can bring into the union, who could easily be doing these jobs.”
Several cars could be heard honking Tuesday as they passed the dozens of postals workers wearing CUPW signs picketed in front of the local Canada Post office along Kipling Street, equipped with two small fire pits and a tent for warming up.
“We’re doing good, there’s been a lot of support, a lot of people dropping off coffee and hand warmers, just that alone has been heartwarming, all the extra support it means a lot.”
As the Holiday Season is underway, it’s as of yet unclear if CUPW and Canada Post will enter into an arbitration process to examine both sides and find a resolution.
