Statement by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

December 10, 2018                    Gatineau, Quebec                    Employment and Social Development Canada

Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, issued the following statement regarding the collective bargaining negotiations between Canada Post Corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW):

“Canada Post and CUPW were unable to agree on a mediator-arbitrator as per the process outlined in the legislation. On the advice of the Chairperson of the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), I have appointed Elizabeth MacPherson, a former CIRB chair, to serve as a mediator-arbitrator to assist the parties in reaching new collective agreements.

Canada Post and CUPW will have seven days from the date Ms. MacPherson is appointed to come to agreements. This period can be extended to a maximum total of 14 days if both parties consent. If agreements are not reached within 14 days, Ms. MacPherson will be required to arbitrate all outstanding issues based on a number of guiding principles that balance the interests of both parties. These principles include the need:

• to ensure the health and safety of employees;
• to ensure that employees receive equal pay for work of equal value;
• to ensure the fair treatment of temporary, part-time and other employees in non-standard employment as compared to full-time, permanent employees;
• to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Canada Post;
• to create a culture of collaborative labour-management relations; and
• to have Canada Post provide high-quality service at a reasonable price to Canadians.

I remain hopeful that the two parties will be able to negotiate new agreements and continue to monitor the situation closely.”

Associated Links

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

Canada.ca

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