President’s Blog: A Busy Start to 2024

We are just over a month into 2024, and it’s already been a busy year for CUPW. And it will only get busier!

February is Black History Month (BHM). It’s a time to celebrate the many achievements of Black Canadians in communities across the country, while reflecting on our past and present history of racism and oppression. It's a reminder that there is still so much work to do in building an equitable, anti-racist society. I encourage all members to participate in BHM events and celebrations in your regions. This year, for BHM, CUPW produced a poster highlighting Black hockey players who broke down racial barriers, overcame adversity and helped grow the game. Check out our hockey cards at: https://www.cupw.ca/en/black-history-month-2024-celebrating-black-canadian-hockey-players

 In January, Regional Organizers for the Building Worker Power campaign and Community Organizers attended a training in Ottawa. It was great to meet them and to hear about the important work they are doing preparing workers and allies for the later stages of bargaining.

Speaking of bargaining, both the Urban Operations and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers contracts have now expired. Our Negotiating Committees are meeting with Canada Post Negotiators regularly and all of us must support them as they work to negotiate good, fair contracts.

We have the tools to be successful in this round of bargaining. We have a dedicated group of Negotiators and a membership that is more organized and mobilized, and we must continue to build solidarity across workfloors and in our communities. Postal workers are respected members of the community. Talk to your friends, your family, and your neighbours about our issues. Participate in labour council meetings and tell people about what we’re fighting for – fair wages, job security, better services, benefits, and the threat of automation. Remind them that these issues are not just postal issues. Workers everywhere are facing the same thing. We must unite and fight back together.

It’s never been easy to negotiate with Canada Post or any of our employers. It will be a battle and we must be prepared for any scenario including a strike or lockout. Don’t wait to act. Put some money aside, talk about our issues with your community, build solidarity with other workers. Let Canada Post know that we will fight back.

Last November, employees at Maintair Aviation Services Ltd working at the Thunder Bay International Airport in ground handling services, including baggage handling, ramp coordination, and the grooming and cleaning of planes joined our Union. We are currently negotiating a first collective agreement for these workers, and we want them to know that they have the full support of CUPW members from across the country.

Finally, Regional President’s Meetings begin February 7. I look forward to participating in these meetings and the opportunity to meet with workers from all over the country over the next few weeks. It’s important to hear your voices so we can best represent you.

Remember, we are 60,000 strong and together we are unstoppable.

In Solidarity

Jan