Last week, the United Conservative Party government of Jason Kenney introduced Bill 32, the Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act. It’s a massive omnibus bill that amends six different labour and employment relations acts. Don’t be fooled by the title of the Bill, it is, without a doubt, an attack on workers and unions to the benefit of corporations and the rich.
In the wake of a number of murders committed by police in the United States and Canada, CUPW joins an ever-important number of voices that are calling to DEFUND THE POLICE. While attention about the senseless police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis featured widely in Canadian media, Black and Indigenous people in Canada were also killed at the hands of the police.
Minister Morneau, I am writing on behalf of over 50,000 postal workers, including Foodora couriers, whom we’ve filed an application to represent, and in support of the thousands of gig-economy delivery workers who have been deemed essential during the current COVID-19 pandemic. We call on the Federal Government to extend the Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act (CERB) to all workers who have seen a reduction or elimination or work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bill C-89, An Act to provide for the resumption and continuation of postal services was passed by the federal Liberal majority in the House of Commons on November 24, 2018 and took effect at noon on November 27. One year has passed.
CUPW is appalled to see international actors including Canada, the UK and the U.S.A. condoning a coup d’état in Bolivia, enacted by a group of military, police, and right-wing politicians.
CUPW buckled down and made a strong showing in our 2019 federal election campaign. We mobilized workfloors and engaged locals and members with the Delivering Community Power vision. Our coordinators did all they could to inform our members on the issues that affect our work, and get out the postal worker vote. Now we have the results!
AUTHORIZED BY THE OFFICIAL AGENT FOR THE CANADIAN UNION OF POSTAL WORKERS. - cupw.ca - Sisters and Brothers, I am sharing with you these facts from the Elections Canada website (www.elections.ca). Remember: your vote in this election is crucial to elect progressive and worker friendly Members of Parliament.
AUTHORIZED BY THE OFFICIAL AGENT FOR THE CANADIAN UNION OF POSTAL WORKERS. As the majority of CUPW members work in the federal public sector, we have a stake in many federal election issues. As well, the question of how to address climate change is a major issue in 2019, which means that our Delivering Community Power campaign is a good fit for introducing service expansion, postal banking, along with building a greener postal service.
Support Postal Banking - Download and Sign the Petition
Canada needs a postal bank. Thousands of rural towns and villages in our country do not have a bank, but many of them have a post office that could provide financial services. As well, nearly two million Canadians desperately need an alternative to payday lenders. A postal bank could be that alternative. Download and sign the petition urging the Government of Canada to instruct Canada Post to add postal banking, with a mandate for financial inclusion.
On Monday, May 19, CUPW issued a 72-hour strike notice to Canada Post. This action was not taken lightly, but it was done for several reasons.
The collective agreements for the Urban Postal Operations and the Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers bargaining units, which were extended by the Government in December 2024, are set to expire Friday, May 23 at midnight.
Commissioner Kaplan’s report of the Industrial Inquiry Commission skews heavily in favour of Canada Post’s positions and recommendations. We fundamentally disagree with the bulk of its recommendations and challenge some of the information on which it was based. We have also objected to the entire process, but we felt that we had to participate in order to give voice to postal workers. The report also outlines three possible steps forward after May 22. It is important to note that this is not a done deal. It is up to Minister Patty Hajdu to decide what to do with the report – if anything at all.
May 18 is Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day. Every year, on this day, we remember the Tamil people who have died since 1948 because of the genocide committed against the Tamil people by the Sri Lankan state, including the massacre in Mullivaikkal, Sri Lanka, in May 2009.
We received Commissioner Kaplan’s lengthy report today on bargaining between CUPW and Canada Post. It comes out of the Industrial Inquiry Commission convened by the former Minister of Labour, Steven MacKinnon, under section 108 of the Canada Labour Code.
Canada Post put out a message today to all CUPW members in the Urban Postal Operations and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers units about benefits coverage and working conditions upon the expiry of the collective agreements on May 22.
This afternoon, Canada Post negotiators informed CUPW that they were leaving the bargaining table, calling it a “temporary pause,” to put together another set of offers. Canada Post would not provide a date for when the Union will receive these proposals. It could be in a few days; it could be next week. Given the seriousness of the matter, it is reprehensible to keep workers and the public on edge when we should all be focused on negotiating good collective agreements that will benefit workers and grow our public service to meet the needs of all Canadians.
The Union has been actively pursuing confirmation from Canada Post that it will respect the post-retirement benefits entitlements of retiring members. The Union was looking to confirm that members who retire will be eligible for post-retirement benefits in the event that the retirement would occur during a labour disruption.
Many members and their dependants are on prescription drugs commonly known as maintenance drugs or long-term medications. These are drugs you may take on a regular basis to treat conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes.
As reported in Negotiations Bulletin #75, CUPW and Canada Post returned to the bargaining table on Wednesday and Thursday this week in Ottawa. The meetings were facilitated by two Mediators from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS) who are very familiar with our file.
This May, CUPW proudly joins the Asian community across Canada in celebrating
ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH. It’s a time to honour the history and rich cultural contributions of Canadians of Asian descent.