It is with great disappointment that we received yesterday a “bottom-line” decision from the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) dismissing the Unfair Labour Practice (ULP) that we filed on June 3rd, 2025. This “bottom-line” decision was issued by the CIRB given the upcoming votes and the CIRB will issue full reasons at a later date.
Yesterday July 2, hearings for our unfair labour practice complaint against Canada Post started at the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). Hearings continued today, July 3.
Our complaint is under sections 94 (1) and 97 (1) of the Canada Labour Code. Yesterday, we brought evidence to the CIRB to show that Canada Post has chosen to bargain directly with members and undermine the Union’s exclusive bargaining rights, all while trying to discredit the Union’s reputation.
Today, the negotiating committees continued to work on drafting the Terms of Reference for a binding interest arbitration process to settle new collective agreements for both postal bargaining units.
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.
With the Union issuing a 72-hour strike notice and the Employer issuing a 72-hour lockout notice, members should be aware that Canada Post has stated that as of November 15 at
8 a.m. ET, the collective agreements will no longer apply, and the Corporation will change working conditions. Nonetheless, all postal workers have basic rights under various federal legislation...
We are still meeting virtually with CPC on the issue of pay increments and the corrections. Canada Post has started paying out members who were underpaid and expect everyone to be fully compensated by the end of 2020.
Following the publication of the arbitration award of Arbitrator MacPherson, Canada Post management formally requested that she correct her award with respect to the monetary increases for the variable allowance (householder delivery) and the knowledge sort and civic address allowance.
Fairly early on in this process, the parties were able to negotiate and sign language giving the Union access to the information that Canada Post uses to restructure letter carrier and RSMC routes. To many of you this may not appear to be related to overburdening, but it is one of the keys that will allow us to fully investigate how the data is used to restructure our routes.
The Arbitrator’s decision contained some improvements to address the issue of overtime on letter carrier routes. She did not accept all of our proposals to allow letter carriers more options to reduce the overtime on their routes.
Over the years, the Union’s top priority has been and continues to be to ensure that temporary employees have access to regular employment and that these employees, as well as part-time employees, have access to regular full-time positions. This not only ensures that they can move up the salary ladder based on their length of service as regular employees, but also gives them full rights to all benefits including, the extended health care plan and the defined benefit pension plan, to name a few.
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.
Yesterday, August 20, CUPW’s Negotiating Committees returned to the bargaining table to present comprehensive global offers for both the RSMC and Urban bargaining units.
While we had planned to meet again tomorrow, Canada Post has told us today that it needs more time to review our offers.
Tomorrow, August 20, your Negotiating Committee will return to the bargaining table to present new global offers for both postal bargaining units to Canada Post.
Unfortunately, our scheduled meetings for Friday, August 15th and Monday, August 18th, have been postponed. The Federal mediators will not be able to assist CUPW and CPC due to their current involvement in the Air Canada negotiations.
This September, CUPW joins its Malayali brothers and sisters with joy and pride to observe Onam celebrations in Canada. Onam is one of the most significant regional festivals celebrated in Kerala, the southernmost state of India.
After pressing the Employer to come back to the bargaining table early last week, we received a response from Canada Post CEO Doug Ettinger on Friday evening, just hours after we posted Bulletin 128, “CUPW is Waiting for Canada Post.” In his letter, Mr. Ettinger stuck to the lines we’ve heard from Canada Post for many months now.