Canada Post has presented its latest contract offer in labor negotiations with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), less than a week after the organization received a strike order from workers.
The latest proposals include an 11.5% annual wage increase over four years, with the aim of reaching a new agreement without disruption to work.
It also protects current employees’ defined benefit pensions as well as job security and health benefits.
The union announced over the weekend that its members had voted overwhelmingly to support a strike if no agreement was reached at the bargaining table.
The report said preliminary results showed that 95.8% of urban workers and 95.5% of rural workers voted to support the mandate to strike.
The cooling-off period for contract negotiations ends on Saturday. With 72 hours’ notice, workers would have legal standing to strike as of 12:01 a.m. ET on November 3.
“We recognize the challenges facing employers, and our goal is not just to demand, but to improve the public post office while addressing the real challenges that our members face every day. “It’s about working together towards solutions that support long-term success.” CUPW National President Jan Simpson said in a statement Monday.
Canada Post says strike will deepen financial crisis
Canada Post said in a statement posted on its website last week that it is committed to finding common ground during negotiations.
“The labor disruption will have a significant impact on the businesses we serve and the millions of Canadians who depend on Canada Post, while further deteriorating the company’s already dire financial position,” the statement said. ” is written.
Canada Post declined an interview with CBC News.
Labor Minister Stephen McKinnon told CBC News the government is cooperating across both parties.
“It is clear that we are actively working to promote a collective agreement and we hope that both parties will agree and that the agreement will be ratified,” the minister said on Wednesday.
Canada Post and CUPW have been negotiating and meeting regularly for almost a year.
In May, the Crown corporation reported a pre-tax loss of $748 million in 2023, citing competition from a post-pandemic surge in delivery services, lower trade mail volumes and higher shipping costs. did.
At the time, the company warned that it could run out of working capital within a year.
