CUPW reiterates offer to merge with the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA)

Sisters/Brothers:

The postal sector has changed drastically in recent years, and it has become clear that the only way to confront Canada Post and its bargaining strategy is to unite together to protect the universal public postal service and jobs.

We all know from experience that having separate bargaining units allows Canada Post to implement a negotiating agenda that guarantees it can more easily demand rollbacks. This is unacceptable.

 

Challenges ahead

In recent years, we have faced many challenges and more await us. To meet such challenges as postal transformation, the transfer of work between bargaining units, the fight against post office closures and workplace attacks, we need a unified response from all postal operations employees. Together, let’s make the most of our bargaining strength at a single negotiating table within a single union.

 

Merger offers

Over the past few years, we’ve met with CPAA Executive Committee members on several occasions to discuss the possibility of merging our two unions or asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to conduct a review of the bargaining units at Canada Post.

For example, in a letter dated June 13, 2008, we proposed the creation of a joint committee to study the possibility of a merger between the two unions. Should a merger take place, it’s important to us that it happen in a way that respects the strengths, history and principles of the two unions, so as to form a single strong and inclusive union.

 

Merger offer still on the table

On January 21, 2010, we filed an application for a review of the bargaining units with the CIRB. I had contacted the CPAA President the day before to advise her of our application and mentioned that our merger offer was still on the table. I am convinced that it’s in the interest of all members for both unions to arrive at a voluntary agreement and be united before the CIRB renders its decision on the creation of a single bargaining unit.