On January 28, 2010, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers reached agreement on a tentative Collective Agreement to cover the Contracted Urban Service Drivers and Highway Service Drivers who work in Nanaimo and Abbotsford.

Since December 12, 2009, the union has been in a strike position and we could have voted for a strike at any time during this period.

The Union chose to not exercise our right to strike because the contractor at Ideal Cartage had chosen to cancel her contracts with Canada Post. This left all the drivers in a tenuous position where they would be losing their jobs and having to apply to a new contractor.

Instead we decided to work with the owner of Ideal Cartage and convince her to attempt to maintain her contracts with Canada Post.

In order to do this we felt that we had to show that we could reach a Collective Agreement and hope that the employer would, out of respect for these drivers, allow her to continue to provide the contracted service to Canada Post in Nanaimo and Abbotsford.

As a result of our discussions in late December the owner contacted Canada Post and asked that her resignation be cancelled. We have heard no response.

The Union and Ideal Cartage have shown the employer that we can work together to provide uninterrupted service to these communities. It now remains with the employer to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of these drivers and allow them to fulfill their terms with Canada Post.

It is very difficult for the union to negotiate collective agreements with contracted urban service and highway service drivers because Canada Post uses the tendering process and the contractors have to bid against each other for the opportunity to work on behalf of Canada Post.

This is why the Union is applying nationally for common employer status for these employees. They need the same rights as any other postal workers to proper wages, benefits and working conditions.

In solidarity,

John Bail
National Director