The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has issued a strike notice to Canada Post, suggesting postal workers will begin a 72-hour walkout from 12:01am EST on Friday November 15.
Canada Post responded with a notice that postal workers will be locked out of work as of 8:00am EST on November 15, 2024, if agreements cannot be reached for the Urban Postal Operations and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) bargaining units.
The new threat of strike action comes after a year of negotiations between CUPW and Canada Post on wages, working conditions and employees’ rights.
“Our goal has always been to reach negotiated collective agreements that support the long-term success of our public post office, while addressing the real issues our members face daily,” said Jan Simpson, CUPW National President. “Canada Post has the ability to make that happen without any job action, but it needs to come to the bargaining table and resolve both new and longstanding issues.”
Change needed to reverse poor finances
According to Canada Post, the threat from CUPW of strike action has had a negative impact on parcel volumes, with the post stating in a press release on November 12 that “Delivered parcel volumes have been in an accelerating decline since CUPW announced its strike mandate on October 25”.
The post added, “Last week, Canada Post’s parcel volumes declined by 28% compared to the same week of the previous year. That represents 1.3 million parcels – or more than a day’s worth of delivered parcels at this time of year – that went to competitors instead of Canada Post. With CUPW’s strike notice, the company expects this trend to accelerate.”
Canada Post claims that a “more flexible and affordable delivery model that allows it to deliver seven days a week and quickly respond to the needs of customers” is needed if it is to counteract its falling revenues and address increased competition in the market. The post recorded a loss from operations of C$490m (US$350.5m) in the first half of 2024; since 2018, it has lost more than C$3bn (US$2.1bn).
“Without these changes, the significant challenges facing Canada Post will intensify,” the post continued.
Challenging negotiations
CUPW said that this round of bargaining has been challenging and intricate, with negotiators facing new challenges stemming from changes in postal work that has heavily affected postal workers.
The union said in a statement it is “asking for fair wages, safer working conditions and the right for workers – today and in the future – to retire with dignity, and new services at the public post office”.
Simpson added, “We’re not just bargaining for ourselves; we’re bargaining for the public and for all workers. Too many people have fallen behind over the last few years while executives’ salaries keep rising. When unionized workers make gains, it lifts up all communities, bringing widespread benefits. We are committed to negotiating the best collective agreements possible for our members while also protecting the valued and cherished public postal service.”