Canada Post Unveils New Offers to Union Before Strike Deadline
OTTAWA – In an effort to reach a prompt conclusion, Canada Post has presented fresh proposals to the union representing postal employees as they work towards avoiding potential strikes before time runs out.
On Wednesday, the Crown corporation stated that it has submitted fresh sets of proposals to employees within both the urban bargaining unit and the rural as well as suburban units.
The Canadian Union ofPostal Workers, representing approximately 55,000 postal service workers, stated that their negotiation team will review the proposals this afternoon.
The fresh proposals were made just days following the union issuing a strike notification that might result in postal employees returning to the picket lines on Friday.
Canada Post likewise declined the union’s request for an extension of two weeks to review the proposals.
Following two years of negotiations, a prolonged strike, and a five-month hiatus for the Industrial Inquiry Commission, our staff, clientele, and fellow citizens across Canada seek the clarity that only accords can offer. Additional delays would not serve anyone’s purpose,” stated Lisa Liu, a representative from Canada Post, on Wednesday.
The Canadian Press hasn’t independently verified whether the union has sought a postponement. In an interview with CTV earlier this week, CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant mentioned that the union plans to request two weeks to examine any new proposal put forward.
A distinct statement issued by CUPW on Wednesday evening mentioned they would dedicate time to thoroughly examine and assess the proposals presented. They also reiterated their stance that Canada Post had left the negotiation process several times.
“In light of the delay, we trust that these proposals will be comprehensive and considerate of the workers’ requirements and the needs of the communities we support. These proposals should guarantee a more robust public postal service for today and tomorrow,” the statement said.
Liu stated that Canada Post is “prepared to discuss matters at the earliest opportunity” with the help of a mediator.
Canada Post stated that they have improved their compensation proposal for employees, offering a raise of six percent in the first year, followed by three percent in the second year and two percent annually during the third and fourth years, resulting in an overall cumulative boost of 13.59 percent.
The proposal includes an extra six personal days throughout the year along with improved financial support during short-term disability leaves, according to the Crown corporation.
Canada Post has stated that they will no longer be suggesting the implementation of a new health benefits program, altering current employees’ post-retirement perks, or enrolling prospective staff into the defined-contribution pension scheme.
A key issue tackled in Canada Post’s most recent set of proposals involves introducing a team of part-time employees, which would facilitate delivery services seven days a week.
Canada Post stated in their latest proposals that they will offer health and pension benefits along with scheduled guaranteed hours for part-time employees.
The statement also indicated that they would introduce a “preliminary, restricted deployment” of dynamic routing. This adjustment would enable Canada Post to alter delivery routes each day, thereby optimizing the utilization of employees’ time for greater efficiency.
The union alleged that Canada Post abandoned the negotiation table following the Crown corporation’s halt to talks the previous week.
The delay occurred prior to the publication of a government-commissioned study examining the sustainability of Canada Post’s deteriorating business strategy amidst ongoing labor talks.
Commissioner William Kaplan, who headed the investigation responsible for producing the 162-page document, stated within it that Canada Post confronts an “existential crisis.” His recommendations included gradually eliminating regular doorstep mail delivery along with several other modifications to how the postal system operates.
Canada Post has cautioned that mail delivery may face delays should the union decide to resume its strike, as this action had been paused during the holidays due to government intervention in the labor conflict.
— with contributions from Christopher Reynolds in Montreal
The report from The Canadian Press was initially released on May 21, 2025.
Craig Lord from The Canadian Press