But bargaining deadlock remains over unsustainable demands
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post continue to be locked in a high-stakes labour dispute, with recent developments highlighting both progress and persisting challenges.
CUPW secured a mediated settlement on Dec. 11, reversing temporary layoffs for 328 striking members.
However, Canada Post has rejected the union's latest contract proposals, citing unsustainable costs and operational rigidity.
CUPW successfully challenged Canada Post's issuance of temporary layoff notices to striking workers, which the union viewed as “blatant intimidation tactic and a serious violation” of the Canada Labour Code and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The mediated resolution ensures that the affected workers will no longer face layoffs during the strike.
"This settlement provides immediate relief to the impacted members and avoids a lengthy hearing before the CIRB," said Carl Girouard, CUPW’s National Grievance Officer. “CUPW sees this as an important victory for workers’ rights.”
Despite this resolution, negotiations remain deadlocked. Canada Post has rejected CUPW’s latest contract proposals, which it claims would add over $3 billion in fixed costs over four years.
Among the union’s key demands are:
Wage increases: CUPW has proposed a 19% wage hike over four years, including a 9% increase in the first year. Canada Post counters with an 11.5% increase over four years: “While we recognize that CUPW has moved on its wage demands, the union’s proposal remains well beyond what the corporation can afford, given its significant losses and deteriorating financial position.”
Additional medical days: CUPW seeks to add 10 medical days on top of the seven personal days already in the collective agreement. Canada Post has countered with 13 multi-use personal days annually, which employees could use flexibly.
Permanent employee conversion: CUPW is advocating for contracted facility cleaning staff to become permanent employees. Canada Post opposes the move, arguing it would further inflate long-term costs.
Resistance to operational modernization: Canada Post’s push for dynamic routing and weekend delivery has met resistance from the union, which has not proposed alternatives to address the corporation's need to modernize and adapt to the growing e-commerce market.
"We remain committed to reaching negotiated agreements that are fair and balanced," Canada Post stated, however, the union’s latest offers “do not address Canada Post’s urgent requirements to modernize its operations.”
For updates on negotiations and strike developments, visit CUPW or Canada Post.
