Canada Post has rejected the request to send its ongoing labour dispute to binding arbitration made by the Crown corporation’s union on Saturday.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers first initiated the legal strike on May 23, which represents roughly 55,000 employees. While workers have remained on the job ever since the union has prohibited them from working any overtime hours until negotiations have been concluded.
Canada Post said the CUPW’s request for binding arbitration would have the “opposite” effect of providing a “timely and fair resolution to restore stability to the postal system.”
The company claimed that arbitration would be complicated and likely last “more than a year,” which would continue “to leave employees without a contract — and strip them of their right to vote on a new collective agreement.”
“Canada Post, therefore, rejects the union’s proposal and awaits a decision from the Minister of Jobs and Families on our request for the Canada Industrial Relations Board to administer a directed employee vote on our final offer,” it said.
Among its “final offers” to the union presented on Wednesday, Canada Post conceded putting an end to compulsory overtime and included a signing bonus of up to $1,000.
However, the company maintained its proposal of a 14 per cent cumulative wage hike over the next four years, as well as part-time staff for weekend shifts.
The CUPW responded by saying it “strongly believes that CPC’s pursuit of a government-imposed vote on its last global offers will not bring lasting labour peace between the parties, regardless of the vote’s outcome,” in a statement released Sunday.
The union also accused Canada Post of not being “interested in a reasonable outcome” to negotiations.
“A forced vote may fail to end the labour conflict and risks further division, prolonging uncertainty for all parties. Arbitration would end the labour dispute immediately and create certainty for all Canadians,” wrote the union.
Canada Post is now awaiting the Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu, to confirm whether she will force a union membership vote on its latest proposals.