Canada Post workers could go on strike soon as contract talks continue between them and their employer.
Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) members could strike sometime this month after going back and forth with Canada Post over contracts for the past year, according to a release from Oct. 25. However, Canada Post says it has remained adamant to keep negotiating without a labour disruption.
“It is critical that both parties focus their energies on resolving outstanding issues to reach negotiated agreements. A labour disruption would have significant consequences for the businesses we serve and the millions of Canadians who rely on Canada Post, while deepening the company’s already serious financial situation,” Canada Post said in a statement.
On Oct. 29, Canada Post agreed to increase annual wages by 11.97 per cent over four years in its latest contract offer conditional upon reaching an agreement without a strike.
After Canada Post’s new offer was sent, CUPW posted a statement on Oct.30 for workers to “question what they say,” critiquing that the 500-page offer was presented after business hours.
“These offers contain some of the same language as the previous Global Offers, including the attack on our pension plan, inferior benefits for future employees, more part-time jobs and fewer full-time opportunities, as well as huge changes to the way letter carriers work, are scheduled, and are entitled to overtime. Canada Post has raised the wage offer by 1.5% in 2024 to a compounded 11.97% over four years, which is far from what we are demanding and deserve,” CUPW National President Jan Simpson said in a statement.
On Nov. 1, CUPW affirmed in a release there would be no strike occurring as early as Nov. 3 and agreed to continue negotiating with Canada Post, specifically focusing on short-term disability plans, personal days, and sick days. If the union was to go on strike, it would have to provide the standard 72-hour notice for any labour disruption to begin.
“While we have not given notice today, if talks break down it could happen at any time so pay attention to Union bulletins,” Simpson said in a statement.
The cooling-off period in the contract ended on Nov. 2. However, there is no sign from either side if a strike will be issued yet or if discussion will continue.
