OLRB rules that couriers are dependent contractors - TORONTO - The Ontario Labour Relations Board ruled today that couriers working for Foodora are, as Foodsters United and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers argued, dependent contractors – which means they have the legal right to organize and certify a union.
TORONTO - The Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) today heard final arguments from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Foodora Inc. in a case that will set precedents for gig workers in Ontario. The misclassification of gig workers as independent contractors instead of dependent contractors or employees is being fought by Foodora couriers who are unionizing with CUPW.
TORONTO – Hearings continued in Toronto today in which the results could be a defining moment for gig economy workers in Canada. The misclassification of gig workers as independent contractors instead of dependent contractors or employees is being fought by Foodora couriers at the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB).
A record number of women also elected to the National Executive Committee
OTTAWA – The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has elected Jan Simpson, a postal worker from the Scarborough local, as the union’s new National President. She becomes the first black woman to lead a national union in Canada. Julee Sanderson from the Saskatoon local was elected 1st National Vice-President. Bev Collins was re-elected as National Secretary-Treasurer.
Toronto – Postal workers and their allies took to the streets of Toronto this afternoon, marching to Nathan Philips Square, to support Foodora bike and car couriers who are fighting for their rights as workers.
Bike and car couriers at Foodora aim to unionize with CUPW: Toronto - Foodora bike and car couriers today announced their plans to unionize with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).
Ottawa – On April 16, 2019, Canada Post quietly tabled its Corporate Plan in Parliament and to no one’s surprise, at least not to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), the forecast was more doom and gloom. “Canada Post has a history of projecting losses and then outperforming their projections, while using those projections to cry poor to the public and at the bargaining table,” says Mike Palecek, CUPW National President. “This plan underscores the Corporation’s aversion to building a sustainable post office of the future.”
Arbitration begins today for new collective agreements – OTTAWA – The arbitration process imposed by the Trudeau government’s back to work legislation for postal workers begins today with negotiators from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post meeting with arbitrator Elizabeth MacPherson.
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.
Today, June 5, the negotiating committees returned to the bargaining table. With the help of federal mediators, the Union is ready to bring these negotiations to a successful conclusion. Our goal has remained the same from day one: to reach new collective agreements that meet the needs of postal workers, while ensuring a strengthened public post office.
Wednesday, June 4, Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families, called on both the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post to return to the bargaining table. Today June 5, we have started that process, meetings are now underway. The Minister has requested both parties to focus on two key priorities: working with federal mediators to negotiate terms for an arbitration process, and continuing efforts to reach settlements for new collective agreements.
On Tuesday June 3, 2025, CUPW filed an unfair labour practice complaint against Canada Post under sections 94 (1) and 97 (1) of the Canada Labour Code. The complaint stems from the employer bargaining directly with members, knowingly interfering with the Union’s exclusive bargaining rights and purposefully trying to discredit the reputation of the Union.
Fact Sheet Available Online -
Now that the extension of our collective agreements has expired, we have started a nationwide overtime ban, and Canada Post has pushed for a forced vote on its “best and final offers,” it is important to remind ourselves of some of the major issues at stake right now.
On May 30, Canada Post sent a letter to Minister Patty Hajdu, responsible for Jobs and Families, asking her to use her power under section 108.1 of the Canada Labour Code to force a vote on the Employer’s latest offers for both bargaining units.
June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day, we honour the histories, cultures, resistance, and ongoing contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Turtle Island. This is a day to celebrate Indigenous resurgence and to reflect on the responsibilities we all carry as people living and working on Indigenous lands.
Today, May 30, CUPW met with Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families, and John Zerucelli, Secretary of State for Labour. It was our second meeting with them since they were appointed to their positions after the federal election.
At the meeting, we shared our thoughts and concerns about negotiations and the recent global offers from Canada Post. We were assured that the Minister would continue to play an intermediary role in the bargaining process but will not intervene at this time.
Media Advisory -
OTTAWA - Canada Post’s plan will result in sweeping changes to our public postal system’s regulatory framework. The Corporation’s most recent contract offers to CUPW don’t drop its proposed rollbacks. When combined, this is sure to result in service and job cuts.
Wildfire season is early again this year. Fires are already raging in the northern part of the Prairies, in some Eastern provinces and in more isolated locations across the country. This is simply a reminder that we need to be ready to respond when such a situation arises again this year. In fact, some communities in Manitoba have received evacuation notices, and it is very likely that others will have to be evacuated over the coming weeks. In some part of Canada, the winter was mild with very little precipitation, increasing the risk of outbreaks. Therefore, we must once again be vigilant and ready to take the necessary measures to ensure everyone’s safety.
On May 28, Canada Post released its annual report for 2024. The Corporation posted a loss before tax of $841 million, continuing a pattern of financial losses since 2018. Canada Post puts the blame for the scale of its losses to several factors