Postal Workers Union Sends 72-Hour Strike Notice to Canada Post

A Canada Post delivery truck leaves the depot in Montreal on Nov. 4, 2024. The Canadian Press/Christinne Muschi

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has issued a 72-hour strike notice to Canada Post, announcing it will be in a legal position to strike Nov. 15 if a deal isn’t reached.

The notice applies to the bargaining units representing the union’s urban and rural workers.

The union’s national executive board has yet to decide if job action will occur once the deadline expires, CUPW said in a Nov. 12 press release.

“It will depend on Canada Post’s actions at the bargaining table in the days to come,” the union said. “After almost a year of bargaining, despite our best efforts, the parties remain far apart on many issues.”

Canada Post confirmed it had received the strike notice in a brief post on Nov. 12, adding that operations would “continue as normal” for the time being.

The Crown corporation has said “significant change” is needed for it to stay competitive financially, noting that its delivery model is a prime topic of discussion at the negotiating table.

“Canada Post is at a critical juncture,” the organization said in a Nov. 5 press release. “Urgency is needed at the table and we remain hopeful that further discussions will afford a breakthrough. However, our deteriorating financial situation, and the impact on our customers, could require the company to revisit its proposals.”

Negotiations

The two sides have been at the bargaining table for nearly a year to discuss wages, working conditions, retirement plans, and the potential expansion of postal services.

Canada Post’s most recent contract offer included annual wage increases totalling 11.5 percent over a four-year period. It also guaranteed safeguards for the defined benefit pension of current employees, along with job security and health benefits.

The union rejected the proposal. It is requesting wage increases that are “in line with inflation,” and increases to the benefit plan to include items like health specialists, fertility treatment, vision care, and “gender-affirming” care.

CUPW is also requesting 10 paid medical days in addition to the seven paid personal days employees currently receive as well as paid meal and rest periods for employees working five hours or more and “improved protections” against technological change and contracting out.

Service expansion projects, including postal banking, and senior and other check-ins, are also key issues, the union said.

Financial Woes

Canada Post has said it is attempting to negotiate a “more flexible delivery model” that would allow affordable seven-day-a-week parcel delivery.

That goal comes at a time when the government-owned entity has lost $490 million in the first half of this year. It has lost a total of $3 billion since 2018, the organization said in a press release.

“Canada Post is rapidly falling behind in today’s highly competitive, customer-focused parcel delivery market,” the press release said.

“To secure the future of the business, the Corporation needs a more flexible and affordable delivery model that allows it to deliver seven days a week and quickly respond to the needs of customers. Without these changes, the significant challenges facing Canada Post will intensify.”

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.