Latest news with #LisaLiu
Hamilton Spectator
20-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada Post reaches deal with second-largest union, negotiations continue with CUPW
OTTAWA - Canada Post says it has reached a contract deal with its second-largest union as negotiations continue with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. The Crown corporation says the new collective agreement with the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association comes after 18 months of negotiations, the same span of time it's been in talks with CUPW. The postal service says the agreement with the CPAA covers about 8,500 employees, who mostly manage post offices in rural Canada. It says the new agreement includes an 11 per cent wage increase over three years, retroactive to the start of 2024, including a six per cent increase in the first year, three per cent for 2025 and two per cent in 2026. In a negotiation update on its website, the CPAA said it made 'significant advancements' in many areas of the collective agreement, which also include a bump in leasing allowances, Truth and Reconciliation Day added as a designated holiday and a childcare fund created. Canada Post is still trying to reach a deal with CUPW, its largest union representing about 55,000 postal workers. Updates last week from the two sides indicated they were struggling to make progress on talks, while the union remains in a legal strike position with all members under an overtime ban since May 23. In announcing the deal with the CPAA, Canada Post said the arbitrator between the two said a recent report on the state of Canada's postal service had an impact on the negotiations. Canada Post spokeswoman Lisa Liu said last week that CUPW has effectively refused to take heed of the federally commissioned report that called for major reforms to the 158-year-old institution, including more flexible routes and part-time weekend positions with similar pay rates and benefits. The union said last week that Canada Post is refusing to meet it 'halfway' on arbitration, with talks stalled and the two sides still far apart. Given the impasse, the federal government intervened last week to force unionized Canada Post workers to vote directly on the latest offers from the postal service, though no date has been set. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2025.
CTV News
10-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Union says Canada Post won't meet it ‘halfway' on arbitration, prolonging deadlock
Canada Post trucks are seen behind a fence at a distribution centre in Montreal on Friday, Dec.13, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi OTTAWA — The union representing 55,000 postal employees says Canada Post is refusing to meet it 'halfway' on arbitration, with talks stalled and the two sides still far apart. In a release, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers says the Crown corporation is unwilling to collaborate on drafting the terms for an arbitrator to weigh and then hand down a deal. The union says Canada Post instead wants to use a federally commissioned report that was 'tilted' in favour of the employer as the basis for binding arbitration. On Monday, Canada Post rejected the terms put forward by the union for that process, which Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu asked the parties to work on just five days earlier. Canada Post spokeswoman Lisa Liu says the union has effectively refused to take heed of the report, which recommended major reforms to the 158-year-old institution, including more flexible routes and part-time weekend positions with similar pay rates and benefits. The back-and-forth has left the two parties deadlocked, unable to find much common ground as the union remains in a legal strike position with all members under an overtime ban since May 23. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2025 The Canadian Press
CTV News
09-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Canada Post rejects union terms for arbitration as both sides enter bitter stalemate
GATINEAU — A government push to steer Canada Post and the union representing 55,000 mail workers toward common ground hit a big pothole Monday. As an increasingly acrimonious impasse drags on, Canada Post rejected a framework put forward by the union for a binding arbitration process, which Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu asked the parties to work toward just five days earlier. Canada Post spokeswoman Lisa Liu said the Canadian Union of Postal Workers has effectively refused to take heed of a federally commissioned report that called for major reforms to the 158-year-old institution, including more flexible routes and part-time weekend positions with similar pay rates and benefits. 'The union's refusal to recognize the IIC (industrial inquiry commission) report and its recommendations in their proposed terms of reference for arbitration is unacceptable,' she said in a statement. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said its goal remains a return to the bargaining table to hammer out a new contract. 'However, Canada Post's actions suggest it does not want to negotiate. It wants to rewrite our agreements — and is seeking to use government interference to further its goals,' the union said in a release Monday. Canada Post questioned that claim, noting that the union has not responded to its latest offer from May 28. The two sides exchanged some information on Thursday and Friday through federal mediators, but have had little contact since, the Crown corporation added. Meanwhile, the union called on members to sign a letter to the minister opposing the prospect of a forced vote on Canada Post's 'final offers.' The letter says that such a move — requested by Canada Post — would amount to government interference, tip the scales in the employer's favour and potentially sow division in the ranks of employees. 'The issues will remain contentious among some, most or all of the membership, depending upon how the vote goes,' the Sunday missive states, adding that resulting resentment would undermine labour peace. Union president Jan Simpson hinted at possible rifts within the membership last week, saying in an update that 'although tensions are high, let's not forget our fight is with the employer, not one another.' Canada Post's last proposal includes an end to compulsory overtime, signing bonuses of between $500 and $1,000 and cost-of-living payments that are triggered at a lower inflation threshold. Management's earlier offer of a nearly 14 per cent cumulative wage hike over four years remains unchanged, as does a plan to hire part-time staff for weekend parcel delivery — a major sticking point in the talks. Last Wednesday, the jobs minister called on Canada Post and the union to return to the bargaining table and hash out terms for binding arbitration, with the two sides acres apart on key issues. Hajdu also asked the Crown corporation and union to continue to work toward a deal outside of that process in a dual-track approach to reach a new contract. Progress along both tracks is now stalled. The union backed down from the threat of a strike last month, but imposed an ongoing overtime ban instead on May 23. A strike would mark the union's second work stoppage in six months, after mail carriers went on strike for 32 days at the height of the pre-holiday shipping season in November and December. That action was part of the same contract negotiations at issue now. Article by Christopher Reynolds.
Global News
09-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
Canada Post rejects union's arbitration proposal as ‘unacceptable'
A government push to steer Canada Post and the union representing 55,000 mail workers toward common ground hit a big pothole Monday. As an increasingly acrimonious impasse drags on, Canada Post rejected a framework put forward by the union for a binding arbitration process, which Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu asked the parties to work toward just five days earlier. Canada Post spokeswoman Lisa Liu said the Canadian Union of Postal Workers has effectively refused to take heed of a federally commissioned report that called for major reforms to the 158-year-old institution, including more flexible routes and part-time weekend positions with similar pay rates and benefits. 'The union's refusal to recognize the IIC (industrial inquiry commission) report and its recommendations in their proposed terms of reference for arbitration is unacceptable,' she said in a statement. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said its goal remains a return to the bargaining table to hammer out a new contract. Story continues below advertisement 'However, Canada Post's actions suggest it does not want to negotiate. It wants to rewrite our agreements — and is seeking to use government interference to further its goals,' the union said in a release Monday. Canada Post questioned that claim, noting that the union has not responded to its latest offer from May 28. 1:44 Canada Post and union representing 55K employees head back to bargaining table The two sides exchanged some information on Thursday and Friday through federal mediators, but have had little contact since, the Crown corporation added. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Meanwhile, the union called on members to sign a letter to the minister opposing the prospect of a forced vote on Canada Post's 'final offers.' The letter says that such a move — requested by Canada Post — would amount to government interference, tip the scales in the employer's favour and potentially sow division in the ranks of employees. Story continues below advertisement 'The issues will remain contentious among some, most or all of the membership, depending upon how the vote goes,' the Sunday missive states, adding that resulting resentment would undermine labour peace. Union president Jan Simpson hinted at possible rifts within the membership last week, saying in an update that 'although tensions are high, let's not forget our fight is with the employer, not one another.' Canada Post's last proposal includes an end to compulsory overtime, signing bonuses of between $500 and $1,000 and cost-of-living payments that are triggered at a lower inflation threshold. Management's earlier offer of a nearly 14 per cent cumulative wage hike over four years remains unchanged, as does a plan to hire part-time staff for weekend parcel delivery — a major sticking point in the talks. Last Wednesday, the jobs minister called on Canada Post and the union to return to the bargaining table and hash out terms for binding arbitration, with the two sides acres apart on key issues. Hajdu also asked the Crown corporation and union to continue to work toward a deal outside of that process in a dual-track approach to reach a new contract. Progress along both tracks is now stalled. The union backed down from the threat of a strike last month, but imposed an ongoing overtime ban instead on May 23. Story continues below advertisement A strike would mark the union's second work stoppage in six months, after mail carriers went on strike for 32 days at the height of the pre-holiday shipping season in November and December. That action was part of the same contract negotiations at issue now.
CTV News
09-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Canada Post rejects union terms for arbitration as both sides enter bitter stalemate
GATINEAU — A government push to steer Canada Post and the union representing 55,000 mail workers toward common ground hit a big pothole Monday. As an increasingly acrimonious impasse drags on, Canada Post rejected a framework put forward by the union for a binding arbitration process, which Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu asked the parties to work toward just five days earlier. Canada Post spokeswoman Lisa Liu said the Canadian Union of Postal Workers has effectively refused to take heed of a federally commissioned report that called for major reforms to the 158-year-old institution, including more flexible routes and part-time weekend positions with similar pay rates and benefits. 'The union's refusal to recognize the IIC (industrial inquiry commission) report and its recommendations in their proposed terms of reference for arbitration is unacceptable,' she said in a statement. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said its goal remains a return to the bargaining table to hammer out a new contract. 'However, Canada Post's actions suggest it does not want to negotiate. It wants to rewrite our agreements — and is seeking to use government interference to further its goals,' the union said in a release Monday. Canada Post questioned that claim, noting that the union has not responded to its latest offer from May 28. The two sides exchanged some information on Thursday and Friday through federal mediators, but have had little contact since, the Crown corporation added. Meanwhile, the union called on members to sign a letter to the minister opposing the prospect of a forced vote on Canada Post's 'final offers.' The letter says that such a move — requested by Canada Post — would amount to government interference, tip the scales in the employer's favour and potentially sow division in the ranks of employees. 'The issues will remain contentious among some, most or all of the membership, depending upon how the vote goes,' the Sunday missive states, adding that resulting resentment would undermine labour peace. Union president Jan Simpson hinted at possible rifts within the membership last week, saying in an update that 'although tensions are high, let's not forget our fight is with the employer, not one another.' Canada Post's last proposal includes an end to compulsory overtime, signing bonuses of between $500 and $1,000 and cost-of-living payments that are triggered at a lower inflation threshold. Management's earlier offer of a nearly 14 per cent cumulative wage hike over four years remains unchanged, as does a plan to hire part-time staff for weekend parcel delivery — a major sticking point in the talks. Last Wednesday, the jobs minister called on Canada Post and the union to return to the bargaining table and hash out terms for binding arbitration, with the two sides acres apart on key issues. Hajdu also asked the Crown corporation and union to continue to work toward a deal outside of that process in a dual-track approach to reach a new contract. Progress along both tracks is now stalled. The union backed down from the threat of a strike last month, but imposed an ongoing overtime ban instead on May 23. A strike would mark the union's second work stoppage in six months, after mail carriers went on strike for 32 days at the height of the pre-holiday shipping season in November and December. That action was part of the same contract negotiations at issue now. Article by Christopher Reynolds.
