Meeting With Chopra

Today, we met with CPC president Deepak Chopra and other members of the CPC Negotiating Committee. We discussed all of the major issues that remain in dispute and the problems associated with CPC's bargaining strategy during the last eight months of negotiations.

We explained to Mr. Chopra the movements that the Union has made on both our demands and management's issues.

We also reviewed the mandate of the post office under the Canada Post Corporation Act and stressed the need to improve both labour relations and service to the public.

Mr. Chopra discussed the financial losses incurred by CPC as a result of the national lockout and our rotating strikes and stated management would be re-evaluating its position. 

Time For Decision

Mr. Chopra has a major decision to make during the next few days. It is clear that the parties are still far apart because of CPC's demands for concessions and their refusal to address the proposals of the union on issues such as health and safety, staffing and service expansion. If Canada Post management has the will, there is still a way to negotiate an agreement. The parties are both completely aware of the issues.

There is still time to negotiate if CPC wants to.

Postal Workers Can Be Proud

On behalf of the CUPW National Executive Board and National Negotiating Committee, I wish to congratulate every member of the Union for your courage and discipline during our rotating strikes and CPC's national lockout. This has been a long and difficult eight months of negotiations.

Throughout this process, we have demonstrated, time and time again, that our greatest strength is the commitment and resolve of the membership, 48,000 strong, proud and determined.