Canada Post union files unfair labour practice complaint

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) filed an unfair labour practice complaint Tuesday against Canada Post related to ongoing contract bargaining.

The union alleges in the complaint to the Canada Industrial Relations Board that the Crown corporation approached and is bargaining directly with members, interfering with the union’s exclusive bargaining rights, and trying to discredit the union’s reputation.

Canada Post has denied all of these allegations.

CUPW said in a release Thursday that Canada Post had also used: “captive audience meetings, videos, press releases, documents, televisions, portable data terminals, QR codes, etc., all leading to the Canada Post website ‘negotiations hub’ in an effort to bypass the Union.”

The union alleges that the website also uses alarmist wording and misinformation to call into question the reputation of the union and intimidate and coerce union members.

The corporation rejects the allegations in their entirety, said spokeswoman Lisa Liu.

“Canada Post places a great importance on keeping employees informed, especially on something as important to them as the collective bargaining process,” said Liu.

She said in a statement that employers are allowed to express views and communicate with employees during collective bargaining.

“Canada Post has exercised this right responsibly, delivering accurate, neutral, and factual information. Employees have a right to understand what is being proposed,” she said.

She said the postal service has at no time negotiated directly with employees and remains fully committed to concluding collective agreements through the proper channels.

The union’s lead negotiator Lana Smidt said in the release that the union is asking the board to order Canada Post to stop the interference, and to “level the playing field” by giving the union opportunity to rebut the employer’s misinformation on their platforms, and order damages to the union and its members.

Canada Post and the roughly 55,000-member CUPW have been working to reach a deal for some 18 months.

On Wednesday, Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu called on Canada Post and the union to return to the bargaining table and hash out terms for binding arbitration as well as continue to try to reach a negotiated settlement.

With files from The Canadian Press.

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