Welcome to the 2023 edition of the Rose magazine! Every year CUPW proudly releases a new Rose to coincide with International Women’s Day. CUPW is made up of strong, passionate, and dedicated women, who, every day, work to improve the lives of CUPW members either on the workfoor, through Union organizing, educationals, and through various positions locally, regionally and nationally. The Rose is a vehicle not only to honour many of these women, but also to talk about the issues that affect us at work and in life.
SPECIAL STATEMENT REGARDING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC
During the 3rd verification of our 2019-2023 mandate, the National Board of Trustees were once again required to do a virtual verification. While attempts were made by the National Union to provide the Board with all of the necessary documentation needed to complete a thorough verification, there were shortcomings.
SPECIAL STATEMENT REGARDING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC
As we are all acutely aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the way society operates. Our Union is not exempt from this. As a result, the 2nd verification of the National Board of Trustees was very different than any before it.
We are very thankful to the Special Needs Project. It has been a great support for my daughter’s growth. She was three years old when she was diagnosed with severe autism spectrum disorder and a severe speech and communication disability. This diagnosis came with so many things which we never knew or noticed before.
We have heard many stories about the challenges members face in dealing with anxiety and depression. The challenges could be in supporting anxiety related to their own needs or those close to them, or, the anxiety their child faces related to their diagnosis.
This newsletter is focused on mental health and mental illness. Everyone struggles with their mental health at some point in time. I know I have. The resources listed here only touch the surface of the supports available. I hope there is something here that is helpful for you.
Mathis was eleven October of 2021. When he was born, he was very sick. the fact that he was born prematurely certainly didn’t help. When he was barely two months old, the visits to the hospital began to multiply: repeated pneumonia, severe asthma attacks, hydration problems...
Over the last 18 months, we’ve faced some of the biggest challenges of our lives. As the world slowly begins to reopen post-COVID-19, it’s important to remember that the pandemic isn’t over yet, and that so much remains uncertain.
This year we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Special Needs Project. This is covered under Appendix L in our collective agreement. Appendix L was hard fought for and has helped many postal workers who have children with different abilities. Over 1800 members and their families have benefited from this. I do not believe any other union in Canada has such comprehensive benefits as we have.
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.
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
Today, May 28, Canada Post presented what it calls its “best and final” offers for both the RSMC and Urban bargaining units.
While Canada Post insists that its offers reflect the Union’s demands from our May 25 proposal, there are almost no changes from what the Employer put forward on May 21. There's no question: Canada Post is not negotiating. Canada Post is playing hardball.
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.