Members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have officially rejected Canada Post’s offers for both rural and suburban mail carriers, meaning negotiations will have to continue.
Negotiations between the company and union have been ongoing for two years, involving a strike in late 2024, a review by the Ministry of Labour’s Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) and an overtime ban being implemented due to the union members’ extended collective agreement expiry.
Recently, CUPW members had the opportunity to vote on whether to accept or reject Canada Post’s final offers, and the majority voted “no,” which has prompted a return to the negotiations table for both the union and the company.
On Friday, August 1st, the results of the vote revealed that 69.4% of rural mail carriers voted no and 68.5% of suburban mail carriers voted no.
“While we are disappointed in the results, we want to thank employees for participating in the process,” said Canada Post in a media release.
The company’s position is that the results do not lessen the need to modernize and protect their national services.
Canada Post says the vote result may bring uncertainty and impacts to their business, as well as many Canadians and Canadian businesses who depend on the company.
They said they are evaluating their next steps.
CUPW’s response to vote results
CUPW says that Canada Post “threw everything they had” at them, with the federal government’s help.
“The Employer launched a propaganda campaign like we’ve never seen before,” said CUPW in a media release.
“For months now, we’ve heard nothing but scare tactics and fear mongering from Canada Post. And yet, members stood up, stuck together, and they made their votes count.”
They added that what the results indicate is that the members the union represents want to see negotiations continue for a better collective agreement.
“It’s time for Canada Post to come back to the bargaining table and start seriously negotiating,” said CUPW.
“Our negotiators are ready to get back to work right away. We’re committed to staying at the table until we’ve reached a deal. We expect the same from Canada Post.”
CUPW has sent a letter to Canada Post CEO Doug Ettinger, and is now waiting for the corporation to respond.
In the meantime, the national overtime ban established in May remains in effect.
