Canada Post 'hellbent' on labour dispute as talks continue, union president says

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OTTAWA—The president of Canada Post’s biggest workers’ union says the Crown corporation is spoiling for a labour fight as more than 50,000 employees prepare for a summertime strike-vote amidst ongoing talks.

Mike Palecek, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, accused Canada Post management of stubbornness at the bargaining table, where talks for a new employees’ contract that began in late 2017 have accomplished “virtually nothing.”

Negotiations entered a new stage this week, as third-party conciliators were brought in to help hammer out an agreement before a Sept. 9 deadline. If no deal is reached by then, a strike or lockout will be possible by late September.

“So far we’ve been met with an absolute refusal to move on any substantial issue from the corporation,” Palecek told the Star.

“They seem hellbent on driving us towards a labour dispute,” he said.

Canada Post spokesperson Jon Hamilton said Thursday that the company would not comment on the situation in an interview, but provided an emailed statement that described the conciliation process as a normal part of labour talks.

“Canada Post negotiators are working hard to find common ground with CUPW and believe a quick resolution to negotiations is in the best interest of customers and employees,” the statement said.