Quote:
Originally Posted by Resolute 14
Yeah, sorry, but lockouts (and strikes) are part of bargaining. you are setting up an invalid either-or scenario. Perhaps the union should have worked harder at finding a solution at some point over the last seven months if it didn't want to find itself in this position.
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They don't have to be a part of bargaining, they are an option to use in bargaining. The position those workers could have would be similar to mine. I'm disappointed with the possibility of a lockout because it appears to me based on what has been reported that Canada post is attempting to use a lockout in an effort to get a deal they want rather than negotiate a deal with their employees.
That's just my view on it and it is based on Canada post's position of being concerned with the pension deficit yet not putting forward a plan to address that problem, they are claiming the current plan will never work and they must draw a line in the sand now, even though they didn't have the foresight to see this problem coming 4 years ago when they signed the current contract. If it was as crucial of an issue as they claim they would have fixed it then, instead they claim that it is a huge issue now and must be addressed and the union has to accept the only solution brought forward to fix the problem now and forever by the same people who evidently could not even plan 4 years ahead. CP's current plan also provides zero protection to the current plan members in the event that it's plan does not have the funds to cover its liabilities. People say tax payers will cover it, yeah maybe if a politician is willing to agree to do that with voter's tax dollars. CP has no risk in that situation, unless there is a plan to attempt to fix the deficit those workers would be crazy to gamble on their pensions by agreeing to have less contributions going to a plan that already carries a deficit.
What evidence do you have to support the argument that the union hasn't been trying to find a solution, all we know for sure is they disagree with Canada post's proposed solution. There has been nothing in the media about the union's counter proposals on the pension plan, but that does not mean they haven't had any, simply that they may not want to publicize them. Which makes sense on their end since they would not want public perception to have any influence on their members. Canada post would not take any of the union's offers public as it could put pressure on them to accept their terms as well.