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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, Ju ly 19 ,2 01 8 | 12 There's a chance your snail mail may slow to a crawl soon. Canadian Union of Postal Workers national president Mike Palecek called negotiations with Canada Post "frustrat- ing" July 13, and warned residents the postal ser- vice is forcing his bar- gaining units to serious- ly contemplate strike ac- tion. About 50,000 postal workers have been with- out a collective agree- ment since the winter. The sides have met to discuss a new deal more than 100 times. However, the union is setting a fi- nal strike vote for Sept. 9. "This round of bar- gaining is likely going to define the postal service going forward for a gen- eration," Palecek said in an interview. "We're put- ting all kinds of issues on the bargaining table that are not just for ourselves but the public as well. Postal workers have done absolutely everything in their power to address these without a labour dispute. We campaigned, we organized town hall meetings, we changed the government. Still, nothing has happened. We're on to our last re- sort: a strike. That's where Canada Post is driving us." Canada Post "set us on to this path" through an "absolute refusal" to ne- gotiate, he said. Philipe Legault, a spokesperson for Canada Post, said a mediator was brought into the collec- tive bargaining process in late 2017. However, the postal service will not comment on specific as- pects of negotiations. "Canada Post negotiators are working hard to find common ground with CUPW and believe a quick resolution is in the best interest of custom- ers and employees," he said in an email. A number of issues built up over the last few years because the previ- ous Conservative govern- ment refused to negotiate with the union, Palecek said. About 8,000 of the employees work in a ru- ral or suburban setting, with the majority being women. They are paid about 30 per cent less than their 42,000 urban- area counterparts. The union is also pushing for the estab- lishment of a Canada Post bank, electrification of the postal service's 13,000-vehicle fleet, and installation of electric vehicle-charging sta- tions at post offices across the country. "This is an opportuni- ty to bring in new servic- es that will not only bring in revenue but that the public actually needs," Palecek said. CANADA 'Frustrated' postal workers may have to strike: Union CHRIS SIMON chris.simon@simcoe.com Deadline is employees About addresses served Strike would affect of the service's million Sept 9 8 16.2 Nearly pieces of mail, parcels and messages deliveredbillion 8.4 50,000 64,000 Pay equity for women a major issue mediation dates scheduled for July and August Sources: Canada Post's 2017 annual report, Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Metroland Graphic Buy 1, Get 1 Hearing Testing, Hearing Aids • Accessories ARE YOUR EARS 60 YEARS? It's TIME to get them TESTED! Ph: 289-891-8833 120 Mill Street, Georgetown Hearing Testing, Hearing Aids Accessories 221 Miller Dr., Georgetown 905-873-6776 www.GenesisHealthTeam.com WALK-IN & FAMILY CLINICFAMILY CLINIC Walk-in and Appointment Call for details Platinum 2018 Halton Hills Miller Dr. M ou nt ai nv ie w Rd .S 8t h Li ne M ai n St 15 Sd. Rd. Eaton St. 10 Side Rd Opposite to Allison's Farm Market New Patients Welcome Family and Cosmetic Dentistry We love meeting neW people marketplace Dental Centre Georgetown Marketplace Mall 905-877-CARE (2273) • www.georgetowndental.com HOURS: Monday & Wednesday 8:00am - 8:00pm • Tuesday & Thursday 8:00am - 6:00pm • Saturday 8:00am - 3:00pm Proudly Serving Georgetown Since 1994.