Summer is late this year. With a few exceptions across the country, where they have experienced brief periods of heat, the hot weather is overdue. However, we must not regard this situation as the norm and disregard the eventual heat waves that will inevitably occur in the weeks to come. In order to be well prepared, be aware of the dangers that a heat wave can impose.
The Service Expansion and Innovation and Change Committee (Appendix T) is currently seeking two CUPW members to assist us with our financial services project.
Starting in the spring of 2022, Canada Post will begin the national launch of its new personal loan product offered in partnership with TD.
The CUPW is now accepting applications for the position of Environmental Research Liaison and Representative to the All-Union Environment Committee. The selected candidate will work closely with the 1st and 2nd National Vice-Presidents on projects related to both the CPC and the CUPW’s environmental initiatives.
We have heard many stories about the challenges members face in dealing with anxiety and depression. The challenges could be in supporting anxiety related to their own needs or those close to them, or, the anxiety their child faces related to their diagnosis.
This newsletter is focused on mental health and mental illness. Everyone struggles with their mental health at some point in time. I know I have. The resources listed here only touch the surface of the supports available. I hope there is something here that is helpful for you.
When CUPW used the Child Care Fund to open the CUPW Family Resource Centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland, in 1996, it was the only province in the country where child care, in a provider’s home, was completely unregulated. CUPW wanted to change this.
CPC commits to net zero emissions by 2050; work of the Union helped pushed to act now - Canada Post is finally addressing climate change and the role it must play in saving our planet. Last week, Canada Post CEO Doug Ettinger officially announced the Corporation’s commitment to transform its corporately owned fleet of 14,000 vehicles to fully electric by 2040 and putting Canada Post on a path to net zero emissions by 2050.
CUPW calls upon its members and society more broadly, to be awakened to the abominable effects of colonization on Indigenous peoples on whose land we live, work and learn. We call upon all to raise awareness of the trauma that settlers have visited upon our first peoples through genocidal practices, discrimination, and continued sweeping aside of their pain and their claims.
You can support our RSMC members who are feeling the squeeze at the gas pump!
RSMCs and some of our private sector courier members are taking the hit for today’s high gas prices, as part of the increased cost of doing their job. This burden does not belong on the individual worker.
Pride season is once again upon us! It’s a time of celebration and community, but it’s also a reminder of the continued struggle for acceptance and equality and that the work is simply not over.
Why am I being asked to complete a self-identification survey?
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is committed to fostering a diverse and welcoming union. Diversity in our union allows us to increase our solidarity and capacity to achieve a just society for all.
Support Postal Banking - Download and Sign the Petition
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 Monday, May 19, CUPW issued a 72-hour strike notice to Canada Post. This action was not taken lightly, but it was done for several reasons.
The collective agreements for the Urban Postal Operations and the Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers bargaining units, which were extended by the Government in December 2024, are set to expire Friday, May 23 at midnight.
Commissioner Kaplan’s report of the Industrial Inquiry Commission skews heavily in favour of Canada Post’s positions and recommendations. We fundamentally disagree with the bulk of its recommendations and challenge some of the information on which it was based. We have also objected to the entire process, but we felt that we had to participate in order to give voice to postal workers. The report also outlines three possible steps forward after May 22. It is important to note that this is not a done deal. It is up to Minister Patty Hajdu to decide what to do with the report – if anything at all.
May 18 is Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day. Every year, on this day, we remember the Tamil people who have died since 1948 because of the genocide committed against the Tamil people by the Sri Lankan state, including the massacre in Mullivaikkal, Sri Lanka, in May 2009.
We received Commissioner Kaplan’s lengthy report today on bargaining between CUPW and Canada Post. It comes out of the Industrial Inquiry Commission convened by the former Minister of Labour, Steven MacKinnon, under section 108 of the Canada Labour Code.
Canada Post put out a message today to all CUPW members in the Urban Postal Operations and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers units about benefits coverage and working conditions upon the expiry of the collective agreements on May 22.
This afternoon, Canada Post negotiators informed CUPW that they were leaving the bargaining table, calling it a “temporary pause,” to put together another set of offers. Canada Post would not provide a date for when the Union will receive these proposals. It could be in a few days; it could be next week. Given the seriousness of the matter, it is reprehensible to keep workers and the public on edge when we should all be focused on negotiating good collective agreements that will benefit workers and grow our public service to meet the needs of all Canadians.
The Union has been actively pursuing confirmation from Canada Post that it will respect the post-retirement benefits entitlements of retiring members. The Union was looking to confirm that members who retire will be eligible for post-retirement benefits in the event that the retirement would occur during a labour disruption.
Many members and their dependants are on prescription drugs commonly known as maintenance drugs or long-term medications. These are drugs you may take on a regular basis to treat conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes.
As reported in Negotiations Bulletin #75, CUPW and Canada Post returned to the bargaining table on Wednesday and Thursday this week in Ottawa. The meetings were facilitated by two Mediators from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS) who are very familiar with our file.
This May, CUPW proudly joins the Asian community across Canada in celebrating
ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH. It’s a time to honour the history and rich cultural contributions of Canadians of Asian descent.