News and Events - Canadian Union of Postal Workers

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Thursday September 19 2013
Thursday July 18 2013
Thursday March 7 2013

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Thursday November 28 2013
On November 27, 2013 the Union was notified by Canada Post management that they are once again implementing a unilateral increase in pension contributions for employees. According to the notice the employee contribution rate will increase another 0.6 per cent of pensionable earnings. This is in addition to the 0.7 per cent increase that was unilaterally implemented by CPC effective July 1, 2013.
Thursday November 28 2013
The time has come to ensure workers have more financial security when they retire. An expanded Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan (CPP/QPP) would do just that. Small increases in contributions would effectively double CPP/QPP benefits upon retirement.
Friday October 18 2013
The federal government has reached an agreement with the European Union (EU) on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). A leaked document indicates that CETA only partially protects postal services. Reports to date indicate that the agreement may also: • Unfairly restrict how local governments spend money and ban “buy local” policies. • Add up to $3 billion to the price of drugs. • Increase Canada’s trade deficit with Europe, leading to significant job losses. • Undermine protections for health care and culture. • Create pressure to increase privatization of local water systems, transit and energy. • Allow European corporations to challenge our laws, policies and programs through investor-state provisions, including environmental and health measures.
Thursday October 10 2013
Canada Post management has informed the Union that it is “prepared to meet and review all possible scenarios to resolve the matters related to the financial health of the pension plan.” As you may recall, in my bulletin dated September 19, 2013, I mentioned that in early September, we met with Canada Post and we proposed to put in place a Working Committee to address the realities of the pension plan. We made this proposal because we believe that it is essential that postal workers are entitled to a secure pension during our retirement.
Thursday September 19 2013
In recent months, there have been a lot of media reports and discussions about the future of Canada Post. The debates started again last April, with the publication of a Conference Board of Canada report on the future of Canada Post. The Corporation took advantage of the situation by launching an on-line public consultative process and having “private” talks with various stakeholders. Several right-wing groups, such as the Fraser Institute and the C.D. Howe Institute, made sure to comment, each time attacking the public postal service and the rights of postal workers. And each and every time, we responded with our own solution, i.e. the expansion of services, including financial and banking services.
Thursday September 12 2013
When will I be receiving my copy of the collective agreement? Many have asked this question, and rightly so. This question is raised after every round of negotiations, but this time even more acutely. I am pleased to report that the proofreading, revision and layout process has finally been completed. You should receive your copy by mid-November.
Thursday July 18 2013
Many locals and members have been asking when the contract books for the new RSMC collective agreements will be coming. We have now received advance copies of the new RSMC contract books at National Office. They should be available to members in the locals in approximately 2 weeks.
Thursday June 20 2013
Media reports indicate that the federal government has agreed to give Europeans more market access to our postal services as a result of negotiations over the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The term "market access" is used in trade agreements to refer to conditions relating to market entry, such as tariffs or customs regulations and procedures. However, it traditionally means providing greater entrance to a market. As you may recall, the government increased access to our postal market in 2010 when it deregulated international letters. It is possible that the government has locked in its deregulation of outbound international mail through CETA, which would prevent a future government from being able to reverse this move. CUPW has written to Steve Verheul, Canada's Chief negotiator for CETA, asking for more information. We are also attempting to arrange a meeting with Verheul.
Monday June 10 2013
Currently employees pay contributions that equal 40% of the cost of the Canada Post Pension Plan and the employer’s contributions amount to 60% of the cost. This 40-60 ratio was established in law when the Canada Post Pension Plan was created and Canada Post employees ceased to be part of the Federal Superannuation Plan. On May 29, 2013 Canada Post Corporation sent a letter to all employees stating that, effective July 1, 2013, the employee contribution rate for the Canada Post Pension Plan will rise by 0.7 per cent of pensionable earnings. It stated that further increases would occur in 2014 until the rate of contributions for employees would be 50%, the same as that for the Corporation.
Thursday March 7 2013
With the demands ratified by the membership, negotiations began with Adecco on Tuesday February 26, 2013. Members of your Negotiating Committee are as follows: Alex Bousquet (Montreal) Ken Hum (Vancouver) Chris Kush (Toronto) Carl Girouard (National Office) Philippe Arbour (National Office) Cathy Kennedy (National Office) At our meeting, the Union presented its demands and discussed how the parties will proceed. The employer will provide us with any demands that they may have in about a week.

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Latest Content

Tuesday July 15 2025
Immediately following the announcement of the vote results, CUPW will contact management and invite them to return to the bargaining table. Both sides must make a commitment to stay at the table until we have an agreement. During negotiations, CUPW will maintain our overtime ban but not take any additional actions such as a rotating or full-scale strike.
Monday July 14 2025
Canada Post has launched a massive communications campaign to sell CUPW members on its “best and final offers.” But remember, Canada Post is only highlighting what it wants you to see. The devil is in the details. Taking a deeper dive into CPC’s offers and comparing its summaries to its proposed collective agreement language, you’ll find that not everything is quite how Management has made it out to be.
Monday July 14 2025
Deadline to apply: September 14, 2025 - Labour College, the Canadian Labour Congress’ (CLC) flagship trade union leadership development program, is a unique learning opportunity for union leaders and active members to learn new skills and take on the challenges that face the labour movement. It provides university level courses on issues related to work and the rights of workers in Canada. It gives graduates the necessary tools to be effective leaders in their union, their labour council, and the wider labour movement for the benefit of all workers.
Friday July 11 2025
The RSMC and Urban Bargaining Committees have unanimously recommended that ALL members decisively reject Canada Post’s “final” offers. At the National level, the National Executive Board is unanimous in its recommendation to reject the offers. The vast majority of your elected Union representatives from across the country also agree: the Employer’s May 28 offers do not meet our needs and must be rejected.
Friday July 11 2025
We have heard that some members are unhappy with the overtime ban strike activity, so we want to help clarify the situation. Your National Executive Board (NEB) decided on this action after hearing feedback about loss of income in the 2024 strike, other input, and debate about strategy. While every member does not work overtime, taking this action means every member will still receive their regular pay. The negotiations demands ratified by members include staffing of positions where overtime and temporary hours are extreme or abusive. This includes adding more permanent positions in Group 1 and properly building routes in Group 2.
Wednesday July 9 2025
Take one look at our collective agreements and you will see what we have gained by being united and supporting each other. In the 1960s, male workers supported the struggle for equal pay for female workers in the same classification. We were successful in 1970.
Wednesday July 9 2025
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.
Monday July 7 2025
As per our previous bulletin, CUPW members continue to raise serious concerns about the email sign-up process being conducted by Canada Post on behalf of the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). According to the CIRB, this is being done: “To ensure receipt of your PIN necessary to vote, by email, the Board is requesting that everyone update their email address... The deadline to update your email address is Monday, July 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (ET).” The Union has asked for an extension, but we do not yet know if one will be granted. We are concerned that Canada Post is focused on speed rather than ensuring members get access to vote.
Friday July 4 2025
CUPW members have always had a voice. Canada Post is acting like you don’t by saying this vote provides you with an opportunity to have a voice. But this forced vote is an attack against CUPW’s right and ability to represent you and it violates our long-standing democratic processes that were created by CUPW members just like you.
Thursday July 3 2025
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.

CUPW launched its postal banking campaign with a giant inflatable piggy bank in downtown Ottawa.

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