Posted: 2011/6/23 Comments Feed
Open Letter to Employees
Dear Colleagues,
We know you’re disappointed—as we are—that contract talks between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers broke off on June 22. With so much at stake, you deserve to know why.
For the first time this week, we finally saw some movement by the union to address the challenges faced by the company. This happened only after the Minister of Labour tabled back-to-work legislation and after hundreds of millions of dollars in losses had been inflicted on us. Despite the growing revenue loss, we made yet additional concessions in an attempt to reach a deal.
Had we seen the same amount of movement before the beginning of strikes, we would have been in a much better position to reach a deal. However, after incurring hundreds of millions of dollars in losses, we are even in a worse position to pay for all of the demands.
In the 12 days of rotating strikes, we would like to think that we showed great patience—despite the harm to the business. We made a revised offer on June 9, six days into rotating strikes. We did not get a serious response until the night of June 21, a full 12 days after we made the offer, and after the Minister tabled the legislation.
We hope this gives you some sense of what we were facing.
Canada Post started negotiations believing we could secure a deal by offering wage increases and protecting pensions and job security for all current regular employees.
We also proposed a pension solution for new employees that preserves the security and benefits of the pension you currently enjoy but recognizes that people live now much longer. With job security, every 20-year-old employee we hire in 2011 will have guaranteed employment until 2051 and can expect to collect pension on average until 2071. That’s decades of promises to keep—and to fund. Meantime, as Lettermail declines, we have to keep prices affordable so we can compete against the Internet and global couriers many times our size.
So we proposed meaningful changes for new hires that still offer them wages and benefits that are better than other logistic and delivery companies.
We deeply regret that talks broke down. It pains us and worries us that customers and employees are hurting. We did everything we could to avoid this, short of taking on an expensive long-term cost burden that is simply unrealistic and unsustainable.
We know everyone is anxious to start work and start serving Canadians.
Deepak Chopra
President and CEO
Jacques Côté
Chief Operating Officer
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zach - 2011/07/03
As I can appreciate the needs to secure gains for labor, the rolling/general strike was, in my opinion, wholly inappropriate. It hurt all of us, the only thing that changed is private couriers will take much of our business, causing us all to lose out.
Sam - 2011/07/03
I just can’t believe people are still “Harping” about this
clerk for many years - 2011/07/04
@ Sam! LOL! That’s a good one!
stephen hatten - 2011/07/01
As a RSMC I make less money than when I pumped gas. I love the work and serving the public but I put in a lot of unpaid hours and don’t see any upside to negotiation with CPC. The corporatuon seems to take their aggreements liGhtly. I am anticipating a struggle to get teasonable settlement in our agreement in light of the games played by CPC. We are going to be in position at end of this Dec 31
Melissa - 2011/06/29
When my fiance applied to this job and got it I thought here is a job that we can depend on. Although its at night and on occasion, the money was good but the hours weren’t regular enough. Then of course the strike happened. We are getting married in September, my fiance is not getting called or paid and to boot our invitations are not going out. I am not finished. My father has also started working recently for Canada post, different position same beginner status. However right before the strike he was over-worked and even demeaned by one of his supervisors because it wasn’t fast enough. Tell me how one can be overworked and the other not so much?????? And insulted to boot? Both the men in my life have been struggling in the last years with jobs that were not stable or honest or fair. I though Canada Post, being a Government job, would be the best think for them… I guess I was wrong…Union or Corporate, all you have succeeded in proving is your incompetence as a company. And for that you have FAILED all Canadians.
Get Real! - 2011/06/28
First they said that the rotating strikes cost $70million after a few days. Then they said, the very same day, that it was over $100million. Now it is hundreds of millions of dollars?????????
What about the over $90million that they saved by locking us out for two weeks and cancelling our benefits? Someone can’t add up there in those lofty offices.
mmm - 2011/06/28
quote form news source and comment:
“However, the Crown Corporation is warning it will take some time yet to return to “normal delivery standards” due to the backlog of unprocessed mail that accumulated during a month-long labour dispute.”
Back log??? did the Corp not say prior to lock out that volumes were down by 50% or more. did they not cut all hours /and days of work for all postal workers because the Corp did not want to pay them for doing nothing. Backlog?? Street letter boxes were locked, No mail was coming into the system, and now there is a back log?
Methinks the Corporate talking heads are blowing it out their hind ends again
Sean - 2011/06/28
Te backlog is the gigantic stack of mail that is sitting on the desk in my small business office, and similar desks across the country just waiting for an open post office box to be dropped into.
Postal Workers Can Be Very Proud - 2011/06/28
All CUPW members can go back to work with our heads held high. Throughout this struggle, we showed unprecedented strength, solidarity, determination and courage.
Just as we were united on the picket lines, we need to be united and strong when we are back in the workplace. We need to send a strong message to Canada Post that the lockout was wrong, and that their reliance on legislation is shameful.
We need to support our shop stewards and local union representatives who will be on the front line in our struggles with management.
The Struggle Continues.
clerk for many years - 2011/07/04
@ Postal Workers Can Be Very Proud… are you kidding me? The only ones supporting CUPW were their yahoos and even that number is dwindling. Support our Union? I(along with many others) would say Bye! Bye! to those clowns in a heatbeat!!!
WTF - 2011/06/27
The median Canadian income is less than $27,300 a year (according to the latest available statcan data for 2008)
That means 50% of canadians make less than $14 an hour (with no benefits or fat pensions)
At more than $23 per hour as a STARTING wage for a letter carrier, you guys are making more than 70% of canadian (not including your amazing pension plan)
Just a thought….
wtfresponse - 2011/06/28
Well why we are out there on the lines.We believe that all middleclass canadians should make a decent wage and all future postal workers have a liveable salary.If the middle class would stop buying into a pc governments lies and voted in a ndp government who is for the middle class not big business than that could some day become a reality.The real enemy is not the postal worker it is the ceos and the incredible corporate greed that put north america in a recession.
mmm - 2011/06/28
your facts are wrong
if you search average after tax income you will find that a family with one wage earner, has an AATI of 58,100.
and just a thought, your lowball number of 27K includes all those students who work 10 or 20 hours a week, or just for the summer, and earn less than 5k a year.
lee white - 2011/06/29
My inlaw has retired (former letter carrier)last year at over $6,000 per month. I agree WTF.
Carey R. - 2011/07/02
Lee White,
Methinks someone is yanking your chain, or else you are grossly exaggerating. In order for what you say to be true, your “in-law” receiving over $72,000 annually in pension; they would have had to earn a base salary of over $100,000, even if they had 35 years or more of full-time employment. I’d sure like to know where that letter carrier job is available…….
Shari - 2011/07/06
Looks like 50% of Canadians need higher standards. I suggest you get a job where you can make more money and quit being jealous of our ‘fat pensions’.
carrycarrylift - 2011/06/27
Does anyone know how much a new letter carrier will be making now that the lockout is over? Does all the arbitration have to commence before I can find out how much I will be making when I start my new job as a LC? Thanks for any input I appreciate it. Cheers!
mm - 2011/06/28
the old contract is in effect until the arbitration is finished.
Your wage will depend on when you were/are actually hired on as permanent a permanent employee.
second class citizen - 2011/06/27
The letter sounds very patronizing to me as a postal worker. All your letter does explains the company’s hardship during this time and the money that you lost. However, you do not mention that money you have made in 2010 and beyond. I read an article that out of 100 businesses in Canada, CP was #50 on that list of most profitable companies in Canada despite the decline in mail in 2010 that you have claimed. No where did you mention the workers in all this. The same workers, that made this money for you over the four years. I am eager to return to work as I understand that Canadians have suffered throughout this lockout that was unnecessary however I still hold resentment towards Canada Post and their treatment of employees during this lockout. I will remember it everyday when I go to work but I will also remember and bring forth the solidarity and unity amongst workers that was developed during this work stoppage.
CP in partnership with Conservative Gov’t has made me feel like a second class citizen.
ConcernedCitizen - 2011/06/28
You are being heard by millions, petitions are being signed
Shannon - 2011/06/27
No one likes to be forced back to work for standing up for what they believe in. Like many other corporations, Canada Post has had to seriously look at what it can sustain long term and its relevance in today’s economy and digital age.
Many other employee groups have had to endure wage roll backs, benefits cuts, pension plans going the way of the dodo……
We may not like it but that is the price of business and it is difficult for the average Canadian to support Canada Post workers in their demands when most people have meager if any benefits to compare, do not have the luxury of paid sick days and have to work for atleast a full year before even being entitled to a two week vacation period.
The fact that attempts were made to keep the status quo (for lack of a better term) for current workers while adjusting benefits, pay scales, etc for new workers I think sppoke volumes about the corporations committment to its workers.
This has been what many businesses have done to maintain themselves and a significant portion of canadians have seen this take place witht their own employers.
pissed off - 2011/06/27
canada post has sunk to its lowest point in quite some time by punishing its employees, with the cancellation of benefits. now that you got your own way when can we expect our proper benefits reinstated so i can get my medication as my wife and i have heart conditions and this tactic of canada post has put undue stress and hardship on us. all because you couldn’t bargin fairly and give us a just contract. back to work tommorrow just thrilled to be working for such a caring corporation, shame on you canada post
letter carrier - 2011/06/27
you need to rethink your position.Our union, if they knew what they were doing should of had a lot of money saved for this strike. It has been 14 years since our last strike and if you do your math. they receive more than 40 mikkion a year from our dues. With the possibility of a strike looming, our union should have been very prepared. Instead they are robbing us and noone has the guts to ask them the questions we should ask. Easy to blame the corporation. Dont forget, Canada Post offfered to collect money from cupw to pay our benefits. The union declined. Think who really cares for you. Im in the same situation as many others. Many of us need our benefits and neither The post or our union that we pay monthly cares. What have they done with our hard earned money. By the way, when this is settlrd, our dues well be going up again. Thatz great! Im going to finally give my dues to charity. At least some of my money will go to a good cause instead of a few fat cats feeding offf of our skins. Start asking questions and dont get bullied. If enough of us show our displeasure we will get answers. Its obvious you dont need this union they dont have the power. They dont disclose financial information. They are robbing us. Please think hard all of us at cpc. Its our livelyhood and our money
MKR - 2011/06/28
What breath of fresh air. You are an intelligent person.
letter carrier - 2011/06/28
Thanks for the encouragement. One more vote on board. Everyone counts. When theres enough the ubion will have to listen. Thanks again. Any more takers?
Dave - 2011/06/28
If you want to change the way the union works and what they do with the money then why dont you get involved and organize your fellow workers and make a change. But if all you do is talk about it then your just like most of the country, you can talk the talk but you fail at walking the walk.
letter carrier - 2011/06/28
ive already started the process. The bullying has also started. Ive taken the initiative by no longer having my money go to cupw dues. Im trying to educate the workers because noone asks where our money is. The union should be a viable wealthy organization. They are the ones doing the talk without doing the walk. Promises that get you nothing or less than was previously offfered. Two contracts ago they sold us out by getting our severance paid out to us. What makes so many of us blind of what is so real out there. Educating ourselves helps us to move forward. I am taking this to our members every day and will continue to do so. Funny cupw turns a bigger profit than canada post does every year. Why doesnt anyone ask for a share of that money. Sorry OUR MONEY
letter carrier - 2011/06/28
Come on Dave jump aboard. Dont be afraid. I wont tell anyone
Laura - 2011/06/28
Seriously folks?!?! How many working Canadians are without the astounding benefits and pensions that have? What percentage of Canadians don’t have paid sick days? How many work 50+ hours per week or 2 jobs, to earn what you do in a 40 hour week? I would wager that most Canadians think this strike is greedy in the extreme!
Trev - 2011/06/28
You’re right Laura. Posties are greedy. They shouldn’t have forced overtime which happens after employees are canvased for overtime. If the employer doesn’t get enough employees saying yes they start at the bottom of the list and work their way up forcing those carriers to work longer hours. They shouldn’t get sick which happens with greater frequency when carriers are forced to deliver mail in the dark and slip on the ice covered walk of a customer who doesn’t clear ther walk. Many new carriers have two or even three jobs as they are first hired as on call hires and do not know if Canada Post will even call them. Forty hours? get real, you need to have at least 10 years to bid on that job. Instead of saying “I don’t get those benefits so why should you” most Canadians should be saying “We all deserve those benefits”
Howard - 2011/06/26
ANOTHER PRIME EXAMPLE OF A CORPORATION THAT IS FAT WITH MANAGEMENT, AND THEN YOU DECIDE TO TURN A PROFIT, DURING THE QUIET TIME OF BUSINESS. THIS MAKES FOR GOOD PRESS THAT YOU ARE LOSING MILLIONS, WHEN IN FACT YOU ARE MAKING MONEY BY LOCKING OUT THE WORKERS. YOUR SUPERVISORY STAFFING IS CLEANING UP. NICE!
DID THE UNION SELL OUT THE WORKERS… OF COURSE THEY DID, BUT CANADA POST CANCELLED ALL OF OUR BENEFITS ILLEGALLY AND ALLOWED THE WORKERS TO WORK WITHOUT COVERAGE FOR A WEEK.
MAYBE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST CANADA POST CORPORATION, CANADIAN UNION OF POSTAL WORKERS AND THE FEDERAL LABOUR BOARD, WHO ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN; WOULD BE A VERY INTERESTING SCENARIO.
I ALSO LIKE THE FACT THAT DEEPAK CHOPRA HAD BEEN INVISIBLE, UNTIL THE FEDERAL ORDER TO OPEN THE DOORS. HOW LONG WILL HE BE WITH THE CORPORATION? PROBABLY LONG ENOUGH FOR SOME HIGH-PROFILE BEAN COUNTERS TO IMPLEMENT UNSAFE, AND ILLOGICAL WORK CHANGES TO THE SYSTEM.MAYBE THEY SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE WORKPLACE BEFORE THEY IMPLEMENT THEIR EMPTY SUGGESTIONS. WHY NOT PUT THE WORKING FORCE INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE THEY GET TARDY IN OTTAWA, AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTRY.
disappointed - 2011/06/26
Well what I really find is a big disappointment in the cupw… after paying dues for near 30years…do they want to help out on members benefits when Canada Post suspended the benefits….no. Do they ask us when they give our money away that we worked for..no Do they even contact you or return your calls when you need to findout when you go back to work..no..Call the supervisor who is on holidays…hey he returns phone calls and gets all the information needed so I can then call other employees I work with…thanks
I say you are not entitled to anymore of the money CUPW that I work for…. SO HAND IT OVER …………
rick Hansen - 2011/06/27
30 years…is this your first labour dispute? Wake up!
As an employee you are also required to be a Unionized member. The Union does not do benefits or staffing, the company does! As to the supervisor who is on holidays…? At least they were still rec’ving them, remember your boss cancelled them for the workers, they also cancelled sick leave, medical prescriptions etc. Only by the Canadian Labour Code did they have do reinstate medical perscriptions at a fraction of their costs. Wake up….you are a number in the system with 7 weeks holidays that they want to remove. If you retire they are better off hiring a newre employee with less money and less holidays.
Time to smell the coffee!