Mail disruption could begin Monday
Union rejects offer of binding arbitration
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Friday, July 8, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The earliest mail service could be halted due to a labour dispute at Canada Post is now Monday, according to the Crown corporation.
In a news release Thursday, Canada Post stated it had pushed back its 72-hour notice of a lockout of about 50,000 employees represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
That comes as MaryAnn Mihychuk, the federal minister of employment, workforce development and labour, asked both sides to voluntarily enter binding arbitration.
The union and government have been negotiating a new collective agreement to replace one that ended July 31.
Snags include changes Canada Post wants to make to its pension plan to cut costs.
"While negotiated settlements are always the preferred option, it has become clear that after seven months of negotiations, the parties remain far apart on key issues at the bargaining table," the Canada Post news release stated.
"The uncertainty caused by the prolonged negotiations is having a severe impact on the business, our employees and our customers."
The corporation pushed the point at which a lockout could start back to 12:01 a.m. Monday to allow the union to respond to the arbitration request.
However, in a news release from the union Thursday, it "politely declined" the minister's request.
One issue is wages for rural postal workers, which the union states are positions held 70 per cent by women and earn about 30 per cent less than male counterparts in urban areas.
"We appreciate the offer to help but paying women equally for work of equal value is the law of the land; it's not something that can be awarded or withheld by an arbitrator," stated Mike Palecek, national president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, in the news release.
Deneen Everett, executive director of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, said if mail service is halted, it will affect businesses.
"A strike (or lockout) would have an impact on the business community, especially since we're so far North," she said.
However, she said working with the business community she's found lower reliance on mail service.
"It's definitely an essential service for businesses and I think it will have an impact, certainly for products that are arriving for people and communications or payments that they're relying on," she said Wednesday.
The City of Yellowknife has created a page on its website to let people know what to do about various things it sends out or receives through the mail, such as property tax and utility bills. Tax notices were mailed out June 27.
The city has encouraged residents to sign up for electronic billing. Payment deadlines still apply for property taxes and bills, the city's page states.
It lays out how alternative methods for payments or items such as submissions to the Development Appeal Board.
Should a disruption take place, the federal government has ensured cheques, such as pensions and social assistance, continue to be delivered.
Northwestel spokesperson Adriann Kennedy stated in an e-mail the company is encouraging customers who get paper bills to set up online accounts on its website. Payments can be made in person at Northwestel retail locations, online and by phone or through the customer's bank.
