Pride Month is mostly known around the world and in Canada as a celebration. There are parades, parties, rainbows, and glitter. But Pride, and the modern movement to gain equal rights, started with the Stonewall riots in New York City in 1969, and despite some improvements in LGBTQ+ rights over the last 54 years, anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments have become increasingly toxic and prevalent around the world in the last few years – and the backlash and attacks are growing.
CUPW is currently seeking a CUPW worker organizer in the Ontario Region to assist with CUPW external organizing campaigns. The position will begin July 2023 and will be up for renewal every six months pending the direction of the campaign. The successful candidate will be tasked with collaborating with the 3rd National Vice-President, Ontario Regional office, and the Locals involved in the campaign.
OTTAWA – The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to settle (the “Settlement Agreement”) the action of CUPW v B’nai Brith Canada et al., that is currently pending in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (the “Action”).
Over 600 CUPW members across the country gathered in Toronto during the first week of May for the CUPW National Convention. Over five days, delegates decided on the future direction of the Union and adopted an action plan to guide us as we continue the fight for better working conditions and wages, and for a strong and innovative public post office that serves all communities.
The Canada Post Group of companies 2022 annual report released during CUPW’s National Convention sends clear signals about how Canada Post Corporation sees its future – and what the battlegrounds will be for our members.
The Corporation is likely to focus on belt-tightening as it hopes for a post-pandemic recovery. Uncertainty around global issues and a recession hang in the air - but it can’t be the workers who pay the price.
Forest fires are raging again this year, and once again, Alberta’s resilience is being tested. Reports estimate that as of May 7, 122,000 hectares have been lost. More fires have been reported, like in Saskatchewan, British Columbia, also in the Northwest Territories, where roughly 25,000 residents have already been evacuated. The surrounding communities are currently on high alert, fearing the worst.
Ottawa – Jan Simpson, the first Black woman to lead a National Union in Canada, has been re-elected to an historic second term as National President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). This gives her a decisive mandate to take the Union forward as it faces tough collective bargaining negotiations. In another first, the National Executive Committee is now predominantly female.
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Canada needs a postal bank. Thousands of rural towns and villages in our country do not have a bank, but many of them have a post office that could provide financial services. As well, nearly two million Canadians desperately need an alternative to payday lenders. A postal bank could be that alternative. Download and sign the petition urging the Government of Canada to instruct Canada Post to add postal banking, with a mandate for financial inclusion.
On Thursday, CUPW rallied at Canada Post Headquarters in Ottawa. They were joined by allies in the labour and social justice movements. Standing in solidarity, they sent a strong message to the Crown Corporation:
We’re ready to continue negotiations, but we can’t bargain with ourselves. Where is Canada Post?
For almost two weeks, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has been on strike against Canada Post fighting for fair wages, safe working conditions, the right for all workers to retire with dignity, and the expansion of public postal services for all communities. But rather than make an effort to bargain good collective agreements that meet the needs of postal workers and the public, Canada Post has dug in its heels.
Canada Post’s latest information update of November 26 describing what is going on at the bargaining table is full of half-truths and outright deception.
First and foremost, CUPW left the meetings Tuesday since we cannot proceed without Canada Post’s negotiators. They had to go back to speak to the Executive Board of Canada Post for further direction.
Over the weekend, Canada Post informed the public and CUPW members, through the media, that CUPW Negotiators had spent Saturday at the bargaining table talking about cleaners working inside Canada Post facilities. This is an outright misrepresentation.
On November 22, Canada Post released its financial results for the 3rd quarter of 2024.
For the three months ending in September 2024, the Corporation reported a loss from operations of $313 million. Overall revenue was down $15 million compared to the same time last year, as growing revenue from Neighbourhood Mail and Transaction Mail were not enough to offset lower parcel volumes.
In several regions across the country, Canada Post has been calling CUPW members to lay them off. While some are saying it is temporary, we’ve heard stories that it may be more permanent. These types of phone calls are merely a scare tactic by Management. We urge members not to panic if you receive such a call. Instead, take note of what the management representative says and then request a record of employment and estimated date of return in order to allow you to apply for EI benefits.
On day 6 of our nationwide strike, we continued talks with the Employer with the help of the government-appointed mediators.
Discussions focused on the same issues as the day before.
In a wide-ranging interview on Tuesday night, Jean-Yves Duclos, the Minister responsible for Canada Post, who heads up the Department of Public Service and Procurement Canada, discussed our ongoing strike and the future of Canada Post with the CBC’s Power and Politics show host, Catherine Cullen. The Minister told Ms. Cullen that the service first mandate “will not change” and that includes “serving every Canadian where they live including northern and remote areas.” He also said that parcel delivery was increasing “at a very high speed” which is “good news” for Canada Post.