Mr. Chairman, there have been negotiations going on since April. Quite simply, they never could reach an agreement on wages. The increases provided in the legislation are in line with the collective bargaining set amounts in Canada and compare favourably with the current rate settlements for other public sector agreements. In fact, they are slightly higher than the settlement for the third quarter of 1997. That is fair for CUPW and it is fair for the post office. That is why the rates are there.
In the House of Commons on December 2nd, 1997. See this statement in context.