On behalf of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, I would like to extend our best wishes of solidarity for your proposed October 26 general strike against inequality and anti-worker programs. It is clear that as wealth trickles up to the rich, our societies, and indeed the capitalist system, has become more volatile and unpredictable. In fact, if allowed to continue such as system will not only impoverish and divide us all but destroy the planet. Youth are condemned to an unstable future and a precarious present. Let us hope this inspiring action is but a step in achieving global justice in every neighborhood, community and workplace.
100 days have now passed since Doug Ford and the Conservatives came to power, and their anti-worker, pro-poverty agenda is already in full swing. In just over three months we have already seen cuts to mental health funding, the cancellation of a school repair fund, the privatization of marijuana sales, the cancellation of the Basic Income pilot, and the proposed repeal of Bill 148, along with a freezing of the minimum wage.
Meetings held on September 29 and 30 between Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) officers and top executives of Canada Post Corporation (CPC) were interesting, but the impact on bargaining is unknown at this time.
The federal government has identified the problems associated with precarious employment but Canada Post, a Crown Corporation, is doing nothing about improving the reality of the thousands of temporary workers.
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Brothers and Sisters, We, the 52,000 members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), stand in solidarity with the 168 workers of Greenbrier-Maxion who have been dismissed illegally and we support the demand of the International Labour Network for Solidarity and Struggles to rehire them immediately.
CUPW has always had a clear and consistent policy on security certificates: it is opposed to them. This is why, over the years, we have publicly supported the struggle of Mohamed Harkat. Security certificates, which are used to deport non-Canadians from Canada, have existed under one form or another since 1978, but they were strengthened under the Harper government. One of the Union’s fundamental objections to them is that the accused is refused access to any information regarding his or her case. As a result, the accused person is deprived of the means for a full defense. This is the case for Mohamed Harkat.
While the Urban Postal Operations and RSMC units negotiate for new collective agreements, we have some sisters and brothers who are trying to negotiate a first collective agreement or make gains in the same struggle, in the same industry.
Here are the results of the strike votes conducted for employees in the Urban and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers bargaining units. Members were asked if they agreed to authorize the CUPW National Executive Board to call strike activities if necessary to achieve our demands, stop the employer’s rollbacks and improve service to the public.
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.
Application deadline: June 30, 2025 - On the fifth anniversary of the passing of Sister Megan Whitfield, CUPW is honoured to offer the Megan Whitfield bursary, two financial awards to encourage aspiring trade union activists to continue the important work Sister Whitfield started before her life was cut short.
The Union has now heard back from Canada Post through the federal mediators. The Employer has proposed to return to the bargaining table Wednesday (May 28) to provide the Union with a response to our latest proposals.
Union negotiators and the National Executive Board spent the last few days, and nights, reviewing the Employer’s last offers and preparing responses to issues in the offers and issues important to the Union that the Employer failed to acknowledge.
Today, May 23, is the first day of a nationwide overtime ban. As of 12:01 a.m. today, members were called on to refuse to work more than eight hours a day and more than 40 hours a week. This is a legal strike action and all CUPW members must follow this direction.
The National Executive Board has called for a nationwide overtime ban effective May 23 at 12:00 am local time. That means members are being called on to refuse to work any more than eight hours in a day and refuse to work more than forty hours in a week.
Today, May 21, our negotiation committees received global offers from Canada Post for both the Urban Postal Operation (UPO) and the Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMCs) bargaining units. The Negotiators are currently reviewing and analyzing the offers’ contents. We will provide a more in-depth analysis shortly, but here are some of the main elements of the offers below...
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.