The union representing Canada Post workers announced it plans to go on a legal strike on Friday, exactly one year since new contract negotiations began.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) announced in a statement early Tuesday that its executive committee has given the bargaining units of rural and urban postal carriers the required 72-hour notice.
The union said that despite talks starting on November 15, 2023, “the parties remain far apart on a number of issues” including wage increases, pensions and medical leave.
CUPW was in a legal strike position as of November 3, following a legally mandated cooling-off period. The union said more than 95% of urban and rural workers supported the mandate to strike in a vote last month.
However, in a statement early Tuesday morning from CUPW President Jan Simpson, the union said it had not decided whether an employment lawsuit would be brought immediately and said “Canada Post It depends on your actions,” he said.
Canada Post said in a recent statement regarding the strike that it is at a “critical juncture” and that “the company’s deteriorating financial situation may require it to reconsider its proposal.”
It warned that the continuation of the labor dispute will have a negative impact on the company, especially in rural areas, and will impact customers during the upcoming busy holiday period.
Craig Dyer, president of the St. John’s-based branch of the Canadian Postal Workers Union, says workers want a fair deal. At this point, workers could issue a 72-hour strike notice or Canada Post could issue a 72-hour lockout notice.
The Crown corporation recently proposed an 11.5% annual wage increase over four years and said it wanted to negotiate a “more flexible and affordable delivery model” including delivering parcels seven days a week.
Canada Post said in a recent news release that it had a loss of $490 million in the first half of 2024. The pre-tax loss in 2023 will be driven by competition from a post-pandemic surge in courier services, lower trade mail volumes and higher shipping costs.
