Canada Post laying off workers during national strike

DAN CEARNS The Standard

DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: As postal workers across the province have hit the picket lines, Canada Post has been issuing layoffs.

In a post on their website on Monday, November 25th, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) announced they’d heard about certain members being laid off.

“In several regions across the country, Canada Post has been calling CUPW members to lay them off. While some are saying it is temporary, we’ve heard stories that it may be more permanent. These types of phone calls are merely a scare tactic by Management. We urge members not to panic if you receive such a call,” the post stated. “The Union will deal with all violations of the Canadian Labour Code and Collective Agreement should it come into play.”

Canada Post Media Relations official Phil Rogers sent a statement, confirming these layoffs, to The Standard.

“We understand the uncertainty for employees as CUPW’s national strike continues. Unfortunately, due to CUPW’s ongoing national labour disruption and the significant impact on the company, we have made adjustments to our operations, as allowed under the Canada Labour Code. We can confirm the layoffs are temporary.”

His statement also further explained why Canada Post is taking this action.

“Our business has been significantly impacted leading up to and throughout this labour disruption. We have taken steps to adjust our operations. That means the previously expired collective agreements no longer apply and their terms and conditions of employment for employees have therefore changed.”

He then spoke about the ongoing negotiations between CUPW and Canada Post.

“While CUPW’s national strike has continued, we have worked to reach negotiated agreements which would protect or enhance what’s most important to our employees, including their benefits. Unfortunately, the strike drags on and the uncertainty for our employees, and Canadians continues. We hope to reach new agreements soon to help everyone move forward.”

However, in her own statement on Wednesday, November 27th, CUPW President Jan Simpson stated Canada Post’s proposals “have included attacks on full-time work where they want to increase the part-time mix to more than 50 percent of the workforce” and these part time employees “wouldn’t be eligible for any benefits until they reach 1,000 hours, which could take as long as two and a half years.”