As a way to end the Canada Post strike in November and December of last year, the government extended the expired collective agreements between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).
However, the extensions are set to expire on Friday, May 23rd, and CUPW members are ready to get back to the picket lines in order to fight for better pay and working conditions.
Over the past few months, the two parties have returned to the negotiation table, but both have remained firm in their respective stances. On Monday, a strike notice was issued by CUPW to Canada Post.
“CUPW negotiators met with Canada Post over several days at the end of April and early May, with the goal of resolving our bargaining dispute and achieving new collective agreements for both bargaining units,” wrote a CUPW spokesperson in a media release.
“Last week, Canada Post walked away from the bargaining table for the third time, telling the Union it would return with new comprehensive offers.”
On Wednesday, Canada Post made the promised offer, but the CUPW says the offer still “falls short” of their members’ expectations.
According to CUPW, Canada Post is seeking to change the following hard-fought collective agreement rights and methods:
- Canada Post is offering a wage increase of 13% over four years, which is shy of the union’s last demand for a 19% increase to keep pace with the rising costs of living
- The cost of living allowance offered by Canada Post was set so they would never have to pay it out, according to CUPW
- Canada Post wants to hire new part-time positions for a seven-day delivery week, rather than using full-time union member staff
- Canada Post wants to change routing and load leveling systems, negate current systems, which CUPW objects to
- CUPW says Canada Post wants to introduce a two-tier benefits system which would delay benefits by six months for some new hires
- CUPW says Canada Post wrote six personal days into the offer, however those days off are required by law, as per the Canada Labour Code
- Lastly, CUPW noted that Canada Post took away the five-minute wash-up time in their latest offer
Additionally, CUPW offered Canada Post a two-week truce period so they could go over the latest offer and make a decision, but they were denied.
Canada Post’s position
Meanwhile, Canada Post remains steadfast that changes need to happen in order for the organization to stay afloat.
“The potential for another strike comes at a critical moment for the postal system,” stated Canada Post in a media release.
“Since 2018, the Corporation has recorded more than $3 billion in losses before tax, and it will post another significant loss for 2024. In early 2025, the Government of Canada announced repayable funding of up to $1.034 billion for Canada Post to prevent insolvency.”
Similar to what the organization said during last year’s strike, Canada Post says a labour disruption would have lasting impacts on the system, and it could impact millions of Canadians.
As of this publication, it is unclear whether the strike will be done in a rotating fashion, or as a fulsome national strike. Depending on what CUPW decides on Friday, the strike will impact the postal service differently.
Canada Post did note in their last update that the delivery of socio-economic cheques and live animals will continue during a strike action.
