Canada Post Corporation

June 20, 2004

Tribunal chairperson resigns but the work goes on

The chairperson of the Human Rights Tribunal hearing PSAC's pay equity complaint against Canada Post has resigned from the Tribunal.   No reasons for his resignation have been given.   Nevertheless, the work of the Tribunal will continue and the remaining two members are finalizing the written decision in the case.

In other news, Canada Post had been relying on a Tribunal decision in a pay equity case involving Air Canada .   Canada Post has been arguing that, for the purposes of pay equity, PSAC could not look at male-dominated groups for comparison purposes if they were in another bargaining unit.   In other words, PSAC could not compare the work of PSAC/UPCE members at Canada Post with that performed by the male-dominated bargaining unit represented by CUPW.  

The Federal Court of Appeal has now ruled that the decision by the Tribunal in the Air Canada case was wrong.   As a result, Canada Post's argument is on shaky ground.   The parties are to file their final submissions on the impact of the Federal Court ruling with the Tribunal in August.

It is possible that these developments may slow down the process somewhat but the union remains hopeful that the Tribunal's decision will be released sometime this fall.

Once the decision is released, it will be reviewed by the union and the employer and either party may seek a review of the decision by the Federal Court (Trial Division).

More information will be posted as it becomes available.