November 13, 2008
Negotiations with Canada Post
News release
Canada Post abusing EI program
Ottawa – Canada Post Corporation (CPC) is trying to use the government's Employment Insurance program to reduce its own costs, according to the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) — the union that represents about 2,400 CPC employees.
In current contract negotiations with PSAC, CPC has been attempting to implement a new short-term disability system that would rely on EI as a major part of a new and minimal short-term disability plan. The new system would require employees to apply for EI benefits in the event of extended illness, even in cases where employees have accumulated sick leave in the “bank.”
Employment insurance is there to protect workers who are laid off, especially in hard economic times like these, says PSAC National President John Gordon. “It's not meant to be used to bail out profitable corporations like Canada Post.”
The same group of employees — predominantly female and employed in administrative positions — has an outstanding pay equity complaint against Canada Post that has been on the books for the last 25 years.
Gordon believes CPC is playing hardball with the smallest group of its employees as a precursor to an attempt to implement a new sick leave scheme on all CPC workers.
He noted “our members turned out in record numbers and almost 90% voted in favour of strike action largely because of this plan Given that Canada Post is not prepared to change its stance on their sick leave scheme, we have today served Canada Post with a strike notice”.
Gordon welcomed the support of PSAC's sister union at Canada Post, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. He also reassured PSAC members at Canada Post that they can count on the support of their PSAC brothers and sisters from across the country.
The PSAC has filed an unfair labour practice complaint against Canada Post Corporation for disseminating false information to its employees about ongoing negotiations with PSAC and for disregarding provisions of the Canada Labour Code.
Misleading statements made by the employer indicated that changes to the sick leave and family leave provisions will come into effect on January 1, 2010. This statement ignored the fact that these changes have not yet been negotiated with the union. The union also accused the employer of attempting to discredit the union by directly contacting PSAC members and making misleading and erroneous statements with regard to events at the bargaining table.
For information:
Alain Cossette, PSAC Communications: 613-293-9210
61-131108
Date Modified : 2010/01/29
