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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVEMBER 15, 2001
PSAC members at Canada Post
urged to vote for strike action
OTTAWA
- Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) at Canada Post Corporation are being urged to vote in favour of possible strike action to speed up the pace of negotiations for the renewal of their collective agreement. A strike could disrupt the activities of Canada Post for the Christmas period. The vote will be held starting November 19 and the results will be announced on November 26.Luc Gučvremont, national president of the PSAC Union of Postal Communications Employees, charged that Canada Post is not taking the current process seriously. "The employer hasn’t been prepared to negotiate the union’s priority demands such as work of the bargaining unit, contracting-out and staffing issues."
"Furthermore", added Gučvremont, "Canada Post insists on introducing a new job evaluation plan which would have a negative impact on wages for more than one-quarter of our 3,000 members. In addition, the job evaluation plan would not include equal pay for work of equal value. This is unacceptable, and I am convinced our members will support us and give us a strong strike mandate," he added.
Negotiations between the PSAC and Canada Post began on September 17. On October 1, faced with the slowness of negotiations, the union requested the appointment of a conciliation officer. Both parties undertook the conciliation process on October 25, and it is expected to run until November 17.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada represents some 3,000 employees at the Canada Post Corporation, who provide customer service and perform administrative and technical duties. The collective agreement expired on October 30, 2001.
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Information:
Luc Gučvremont, National President, PSAC UPCE, (613) 560-4342
58-151101