The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has escalated its efforts to secure new contracts for its members by filing two notices of dispute with the Minister of Labour on August 2. The notices concern the union’s largest bargaining units: Urban Operations and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers.
Negotiations between CUPW and Canada Post have been ongoing since November 2023. With talks at an impasse, the union is now turning to the federal government for assistance.
“Canada Post has publicly said that it needs to grow to become more competitive, but it has also been adamant that it would not be on the backs of postal workers,” said Jan Simpson, CUPW National President. “But the offers we’ve received so far have directly attacked workers – our pensions and benefits – and no union in the world would ever accept these rollbacks.”
Simpson emphasized the need for Canada Post to present realistic solutions that would benefit both parties. “If Canada Post is serious about negotiating collective agreements that will benefit both parties, it must drop its rollbacks and come to the table with real solutions that will help grow the business, improve working conditions, and secure good jobs and benefits for workers today and for future generations,” she stated.
CUPW has put forward several proposals aimed at boosting the corporation’s financial health, including the introduction of new revenue-generating services such as postal banking, it said in a press release.
Under the Canada Labour Code, the Minister of Labour has 15 days to appoint a conciliator. Once appointed, the conciliation process will last at least 60 days.
“We are committed to negotiating good collective agreements that benefit workers, Canada Post, and Canadians across the country who rely on this vital public service,” Simpson added. “The best agreements are negotiated ones, and with the help of the conciliator, we are hopeful that we will come to agreements.”