Canadian Deregulation

[Yahoorsur]

This is a post from a Canadian union official,at the moment they are fighting aginst the 'deregulation' of Canada Post,
The CEO of Canada Post put forward a submission to a review panel,it's a real eye opener with reference to the anti union points,the 'reform' of the pensions,'shares',almost everything that he talks about has been brought forward here,the Neo lib agenda knows no bounderies or depth to which they will sink




So what do Moya Greene’s fantasies about Canada Post look like, exactly?

Moya starts out saying she is not opposed to postal de-regulation, but Canada Post needs time to “shed legacy costs” and wants “flexibilities” and government support for the “culture change required to arrive at a more competitive cost structure.”

She spells out exactly what she wants in the next few sections of her brief:

• Moya wants the right to close more corporate post offices – and to replace them with drug store Retail Postal Outlets.

• She wants an exemption from the Pension Benefits Standards Act regulations so that Canada Post does not have to fund pension solvency deficits. In other words, she wants the right to not fully fund our pension plan. Perhaps this is the “legacy cost” she wants to shed?

• And, after whining about the “numerous operating rigidities perpetuated through complex and stifling collective agreements” Moya says she wants major rollbacks in the CUPW collective agreement. Rollbacks that include:

o Part-time, casual and contract workers brought in to replace full-time employees
o Workers no longer gaining assignments by seniority – management to decide.
o Individual work measurement expanded, to deal with “unproductive” workers.
o Canada Post no longer required to notify the Union of technological changes, (such as the Modern Post).
o A much more limited grievance procedure.
o Wages linked to productivity targets


And, in general, she wants labour costs slashed dramatically.

(She notes wistfully that the Australian Post has reduced it’s workforce by using more part-time and contract employees, and that their labour costs as a percentage of total revenue stand at 46%, compared to Canada Post’s 63.8%.)

However, even Moya Greene realizes that postal workers might not willingly negotiate such rollbacks in “another round of normal collective bargaining”. So she calls on the Stephen Harper government to intervene and set the stage for the next round of negotiations by:

• Appointing a “third party” to publicly lay out changes in the CUPW collective agreement that are “…required for the company to move toward a competitive situation”
• Publicly showing “…support for change in the next round of negotiations”, and
• Looking at models that “have been successful in breaking down operating rigidities in other sectors or Posts”.

Perhaps the models she is thinking of include the union busting that took place in under right-wing governments in New Zealand and Australia. Or the way the Conservatives under Maggie Thatcher smashed the UK coal miners. Moya doesn’t say specifically – but maybe she doesn’t have to with Stephen Harper.

But, to be fair, it is not all one-sided. Moya is willing to give those remaining employees at Canada Post up to 10% of the shares in their company, through an “employee share ownership plan.”

True, these will be non-voting shares, and that later in her brief she asks for the right not to pay dividends – but hey, the certificates will look good framed on the wall of the rumpus room.

Moya also has big dreams for Canada Post management and the board of directors.

She asks that “highly qualified” board members be appointed based on “strong business, executive and directorship experience.” (Hold on here – is she asking for this change because the current board wasn’t appointed for these reasons?)

She also wants the President and Chief Executive Officer to be appointed by the Canada Post board of directors, (NOT the government). And get this, she wants the Canada Post board to set the President and CEO’s “performance targets, and evaluation criteria, and to determine appropriate compensation.”

Let’s analyse this request… Moya’s asking, in essence, for the board of Canada Post to be a group of private-sector business types. And she wants them to set her “compensation” – presumably using their “private sector” business background.

Hey, Moya’s asking for a raise!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Has she been knocking on Allans door while he is in Canada . It does seem very familiar.

[Darren Bent]

Maybe Alan could get a job in Canadian post. Please take Mandy and Adam with you.

Is there any country doesn't do deregulation or deliberation or whatever. As it seem to everyone is at it.