JULY 7, 2016 – Canada Post has extended its lockout notice period until after the weekend, following a request by the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, MaryAnn Mihychuk, to both Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to submit to binding arbitration.
Canada Post extended the lockout notice period until 12:01 AM on Monday, July 11, 2016, meaning that no legal work disruption can occur before Monday, July 11. In its announcement, Canada Post agreed to submit to binding arbitration and offered the extension to give CUPW time to consider the request of the Minister. CUPW has since declined the request of the Minister, citing the issue of pay equity as its reason. After seven months of negotiations, the two sides remain far apart on this and other issues.
Newspaper publishers are urged to make alternative arrangements for both delivery of their newspapers and receipt of payments. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has made a number of suggestions to its members to minimize the impact of a postal stoppage on their business operations, including setting up money transfer accounts through banks and accepting Interac payments. More information about these and other options can be found on the CFIB website here.
For newspapers, the 72-hour notice means that Publications Mail and Neighbourhood Mail deposited today under the local category may become trapped in postal facilities if a lockout occurs on July 11. Delivery standards for local Publications Mail and Neighbourhood Mail are three business days, but they are not guaranteed. To compound the matter, rural newspaper publishers regularly report inconsistent and delayed delivery to Newspapers Canada staff, who work with publishers and Canada Post to investigate and resolve.
During the last postal disruption in summer 2011, newspapers relied on a variety of alternatives, including providing access to e-editions and online news, allowing subscribers to pick up their copies at the newspaper office, placing racks in strategic locations, piggybacking with other publications, and using driver and carrier forces. Rural businesses, including hundreds of community newspapers, are among those who would be hardest hit by a postal disruption due to a lack of viable alternatives.
Newspapers Canada has reached out to Canada Post officials, who noted that in the event of a work stoppage, mail will not be accessible as Canada Post facilities will not be accessible. Mail that was already accepted will be secured and delivered upon return to work. However, Canada Post will make every effort to deliver all mail items prior to a work disruption.
Newspapers Canada will continue to monitor the situation and keep members informed of further developments. We urge members to investigate both print and digital options to minimize disruption of business operations and news delivery to readers.
For the latest news, visit the Canada Post section of the Newspapers Canada website at https://nmc-mic.ca/canadapost, or any of the following:
- Canada Post – Announcements at https://www.canadapost.ca/web/en/blogs/announcements/list.page?cattype=announcements&cat=newsreleases
- Canada Post – Negotiations Updates at https://www.canadapost.ca/web/en/comm/list.page?ecid=murl|ddn|lr|5
- Canada Post – Updates: CUPW Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers at http://cupw-rsmc.infopost.ca/
- Canada Post – Updates: CUPW Urban at http://cupw-urban.infopost.ca/
- Canadian Union of Postal Workers – Urban and RSMC Negotiations at http://www.cupw.ca/en/collective-agreements/urban-and-rsmc-negotiations
For more information, contact your Canada Post account representative or:
- Canada Post – Commercial Service Network: Toll-free 1-866-757-5480
- Newspapers Canada:
John Hinds, Chief Executive Officer, jhinds@newspaperscanada.ca
Tina Ongkeko, Managing Director, Member Services, tongkeko@newspaperscanada.ca
