Canada Post has asked the government to force the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to have its members vote on their latest offer, according to a release sent out on Friday.
The Crown corporation says it has asked Patty Hajdu, federal minister of jobs and families, to use her authority under the Canadian Labour Code to call a vote, administered by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, on what management is calling their final offer, which was released two days ago.
“Canada Post and CUPW have been engaged in collective bargaining for the Urban and RSMC (Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers) bargaining units since November 2023. Despite months of conciliation and mediation, the parties remain unable to reach new agreements at the table … In these circumstances, employees in each bargaining unit would have the opportunity to voice their decision by voting on Canada Post’s final offers.”
The two sides have been negotiating for 18 months, and the 55,000 postal workers went on strike last year from Nov. 17 to Dec. 17, before the federal government sought and got an order requiring them to return. CUPW members have been once again in a legal strike position since May 23, but have continued to deliver the mail, while refusing to work any overtime.
Hajdu said she and Secretary of State (Labour) John Zerucelli had met with Canada Post management and CUPW leaders earlier on Friday.
“We urged both parties to work together to find an agreement that maintains a strong and lasting postal service. I have received a request from Canada Post for an ordered vote to be to put to CUPW members. My office is reviewing this order and will have more to say soon,” said Hajdu.
Canada Post’s final offers include a $500 or $1,000 signing bonus, an improved cost of living allowance that is triggered at a lower inflation threshold, and the end of mandatory overtime.
The Crown corporation’s contract offers and request for federal intervention come after the completion of an Industrial Inquiry Commission that found that “Canada Post is facing an existential crisis: It is effectively insolvent, or bankrupt. Without thoughtful, measured, staged, but immediate changes, its fiscal situation will continue to deteriorate.”
CUPW did not respond for comment on the vote request on Friday evening, but had said earlier in the week they are reviewing the management offers. “However, it’s clear, after a preliminary review, that Canada Post’s response has fallen short,” the union told the Star.
“Our latest proposals were designed to lay the groundwork to resolve our dispute with Canada Post,” it said. “The corporation’s response fails to meet the urgency and seriousness of the moment.”
Canada Post’s wage increase pitched in its previous offer — a 13.59 per cent hike over four years — remains unchanged, despite being a sticking point in the negotiations. CUPW previously demanded a 19 per cent increase in its members’ base wages.
The corporation did not change its plans to hire more part-time workers to handle weekend deliveries, which the union also took issue with.
CUPW is planning to hold rallies on Saturday, under the slogan ”Hands off my Post Office,” across the country at several locations, including the Prime Minister’s Office and the Alberta Jackson Plant in Scarborough.
With files from Kevin Jiang
