In the employer’s September 25, 2024, offer they propose to change the pension plan for future employees to Defined Contribution (DC), but they fail to realize or to acknowledge that the proposed changes would also affect the members of the current Defined Benefit (DB) Pension Plan.
On September 25, the Negotiators met with Canada Post to receive global offers for both the Urban and RSMC Units. Canada Post has published a mailer outlining what it considers the “highlights” of its offers. As your Lead Negotiators, we will take the liberty to offer some perspective on these “highlights.”
The Education Department held a Symposium for CUPW facilitators from September 12 – 15, 2024. In total, 90 people took part, including participants (CUPW worker educators), Regional Education and Organizing Officers (REOOs), Union Reps (URs), staff, those facilitating sessions, guest speakers, and our 2nd National Vice-President, Coleen Jones.
The public post office distributes government cheques that are a vital part of the social safety net. We do not want pensioners and people who rely on government assistance to suffer if the Union is locked out or forced to strike. The most vulnerable members of our society should not be caught in the crosshairs of our contract dispute with Canada Post. In addition, we want to make sure that live animals are not trapped in the mail system during a work disruption.
Today, September 25, the Negotiators are meeting with the Employer to receive global offers for both the Urban and RSMC bargaining units. Details to follow...
On several occasions at the negotiation table, Canada Post has referred to the language in our Collective Agreement as NOISE!
In the Employer’s view, there is “too much noise” in the Collective Agreement and they have made it clear during this round that they wish for it to be silenced.
In the last bulletin, we laid out some of the big issues left to be resolved in our discussions with CPC on a new hourly rate system.
There are other problems that still need to be addressed to ensure the new system protects members’ health and safety and job security.
You need to stay informed regarding negotiations as well as on all other important Union matters.
To ensure members remain informed, CUPW is using all means available to provide you with current information.
As part of the 2021 contract renewal, CUPW and CPC agreed to transition RSMCs to an hourly rate of pay system dependent on a new way to assess workload and work content. Any issues outstanding were to be dealt with during this round of negotiations.
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.
After walking away from the table for the third time, Canada Post will finally table their global offers today. Our negotiating committee is currently on the way to receive the proposals.
This year, CUPW is proud to celebrate the Pride season under the theme "Workers United Against Hate" proposed by the Canadian Labour Congress. As we face a shocking rise in anti-LGBTQ hate in Canada and around the world, this theme is more important than ever.
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.