Canada Post service disruption looms, as union and management fight over strike or lockout

Tensions are high as the deadline for a strike or lockout of Canadianpostal workers draws near.

The strike deadlineisSaturday at midnight, but the union must issue a 72 hour notice before going on strike.

The Crown corporation says it tabled new contracts last Saturday,but have yet to hear a response from the union.On Tuesday,CUPWasked for a two-week extension to give them moretime for contract negotiations. Canada Post denied the request.

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John Wastell, the local President of CUPW 560 in Kitchener, saidthe process has been frustrating for him and his members.

He said after theunion began negotiations with Canada Post,the company asked for conciliation right away.That usually occurs after talks have broken down.

Issues include roll backs

Wastell saidthe main issues are roll-backs of current contracts.

"We're a little discouraged about a company that's been profitable for 20 years, multi-million dollar profits in the last two quarters and they're still demanding roll backs and increases in productivity," said Wastell.

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WastellsaidCanada Post has turned around its fortunes and has been making a profit onAd Mail, parcels and business correspondence.

"We're trying to expand on that by getting them into postal banking and other revenue streams. But they're not listening to us."

Wastell saidworkers took roll backs in the after anillegal strike in 2011 and won't do it again.

Canada Post and the union have been in negotiations sinceDecember for its 50,000 delivery and plant employees.

Canada Post delivers approximately nine billion letters, parcelsand flyers a year, serving nearly 15 million residential and onemillion business addresses.

The last labour disruption at Canada Post occurred in 2011, whenthere were 10 days of rotating strikes, followed by a nearlytwo-week lockout before Ottawa invoked back-to-work legislation.