Canada Post issues 72-hour lockout notice
Mail service could come to a grinding halt on July 8 after Canada Post issued a 72-hour lock out notice on Tuesday, July 5.
According to a statement released by Canada Post, postal services could be suspended if Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) can’t work out a new bargaining agreement with its 50,000 employees.
Canada Post said it plans to suspend the collective agreement as of July 8, blaming prolonged negotiations, the union’s strike mandate and the financial cost related to a rapid decline in mail volume.
However, Canada Post said the 72-hour notice delivered to the union does not necessarily mean it will shut down mail services on July 8.
Rather, it said, the announcement would allow the Crown corporation to “take measures that are necessary to respond to the changing business reality.”
For the union, that means its workers are being threatened with a lockout, because CUPW has vowed to stay at the bargaining table.
Canada Post said its latest offer presented on June 25 was fair and reasonable and that it still hoped to negotiate a deal with the union.
The union wants to see a pay increase for its rural, mostly female carriers, who earn 28 per cent less than their urban, mostly male, counterparts to address what CUPW sees as a pay equity issue.
It also wants Canada Post to protect workers’ pension plans.
Canada Post claims the union’s demands are unaffordable and would cost $1 billion.
The Crown corporation and its union have agreed to keep delivering social benefits like old age security, Canada Pension Plan, the working income tax benefit, and the Canada Child Benefit, which is set to be delivered for the first time this month.
The payments will be delivered on July 20.
Communities in Bloom judges coming to town
After receiving an outstanding achievement award last year, Jasper is hoping to snag another national award.
On July 13, two international Communities in Bloom judges will travel to Jasper, critiquing the town in several different categories including tidiness, landscape and floral design.
To welcome the judges, Jasper is hosting a reception on July 13 at 8 a.m. at Robson House. Later that evening there will be a wine and cheese reception at 7 p.m.
Lake Annette Loop under construction
In preparation for re-paving this fall, the Lake Annette Loop is now under construction. Parks Canada’s trail crews began work June 30, widening the trail’s surface, installing benches and improving viewpoints.
The trail will remain open to the public, however, Lake Annette’s first parking lot will be closed until August. Visitors still have access to the main parking lots located near the beach. Canoes or kayaks can be launched from the main beach area during the closure.
Parks Canada said during construction the pathway will be uneven, making it unsuitable for wheelchairs or strollers until re-paving is completed. Trail users should also expect short closures along the pathway.
Paving will be completed by October.
