This is a critical stage in our bargaining process. As in the past, we will do everything possible to achieve an agreement without a strike. Over the decades, we’ve seen time and again that when bargaining is tough, the only thing that gets Canada Post Corporation (CPC) moving is a powerful strike mandate – it’s where our bargaining power really comes from. Still, if we have not reached agreements by September 26, 2018, we will have to be ready for some type of job action. In striking down the back-to-work legislation of 2012, Justice Firestone found that our right to strike is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Therefore, management will have to negotiate. This time, they can’t sit back and wait for back-to-work legislation to impose their rollbacks.
ARBITRATION TRIBUNAL - CANADA - PROVINCE OF ONTARIO - Date: May 31, 2018
ADJUDICATOR: MAUREEN FLYNN
CANADA POST CORPORATION Hereinafter: “the Corporation” or “CPC”
AND
CANADIAN UNION OF POSTAL WORKERS - Hereinafter: “the Union” or “CUPW”
Collective Agreement: Collective Agreement for Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers between Canada Post Corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers – Expires December 31, 2017 (the “collective agreement”)
AWARD OF THE ARBITRATOR (In the matter of a pay equity review process for the Rural and
Suburban Mail Carriers)
In her 176 page decision, Arbitrator Flynn accepted the “derived hourly rate” methodology proposed by CUPW and rejected the point of call approach proposed by Canada Post Corporation. She stated: “the Tribunal comes to the conclusion that the Corporation’s methodology must be rejected. It is not reasonably accurate nor is it reliable. Rather, it is fundamentally flawed and , consequently, produces so-called compensation results that do not correspond to the employees’ respective realities in light of all the evidence that was adduced in this case.”
Bargaining for a Better Future at Canada Post - Over the last several years, postal workers have faced attacks from both management and the Government. When we first launched the Save Canada Post campaign, many said that it was a lost cause. Even some of our allies didn't think it was possible to stop the cuts that had been announced. It's a good thing we didn't listen to them! After years of mobilization, we finally succeeded in defeating Harper's agenda and saved door to door delivery.
Our history as women in the postal service has been a long struggle for equality. Today, women make up half of Canada Post’s workforce, but we need to remember some of our achievements along the way.
This year marks the 27th anniversary of the murders of 14 women at École Polytechnique in Montréal, Québec. The December 6th Montreal Massacre specifically targeted women and feminists and since then, December 6th has been commemorated as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.
Special Needs Project: Celebrating 20 Years! Back in 2005 our family found out about the Special Needs Project. Having almost 3 year old triplets at the time, each of them having a different diagnosis, the Special Needs Project gave us a sense of relief when it came to some of the extra cost encountered with each of their needs. Now almost 11 years later the children are excelling each at their own pace thanks to the “extras” that we can do with our children and with the funding that we receive from the project.
After more than six months of difficult and frustrating negotiations we need to send Canada Post management a strong message. “Address the Union’s proposals for equality, job security, improvements, full-time jobs and healthy working conditions and drop your demands for rollbacks. And do it now!” This strike vote is about the future – our future. At stake are our pensions, wages, benefits and working conditions for years to come. This is our opportunity to tell the employer where we stand and that we deserve better.
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.
The past several months have been very busy for the Union. And in the month ahead, there is still more to come: a federal election, the Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) report, Canada Post’s 2024 annual report, and the end of the extension of our collective agreements. We know members have lots of questions about what is going to happen, especially after the extensions of our collective agreements.
The CUPW child care fund has been working with communities across Canada to create affordable, high quality non profit and public child care for nearly 30 years. From the beginning, the push for universal child care has been interwoven in the development of child care projects and the funding of research that informs and shapes policy.
April 28 is the National Day of Mourning. A day to honour and remember those who have lost their lives, suffered injuries, or become ill because of their work. On this day, we reflect and reaffirm our commitment to fight for workplace health and safety.
Founded in 2011 by Paul and Raven Lacerte, the Moose Hide Campaign began as a grassroots initiative along British Columbia’s Highway of Tears—a region marked by the tragic disappearance and murder of many Indigenous women and girls. The campaign encourages men and boys, alongside all Canadians, to commit to ending gender-based violence.
The April 28 election is happening as we are engaged in a fight for the future of our post office and our jobs. Canada Post is pushing for drastic changes which could lead to job cuts and negatively impact our communities. Canada Post’s sole shareholder is the Government. Who is in government matters. We represent a big voting bloc which could have an impact on election results – particularly in tight races. We can make the future of our public post office an election issue.
Now that hearings for the Industrial Inquiry Commission are complete, we'd like to remind members of some important dates in the weeks ahead. Commissioner Kaplan’s final report to the Minister of Labour is due May 15. His report will give the Minister recommendations about how to resolve the issues in dispute in bargaining. It may also include recommendations about the structure and operations of Canada Post. We made our position clear throughout the hearings that these types of questions must only be dealt with in a fully public mandate review.
Postal workers are well aware that the planet is getting hotter. More and more, we are facing extreme events - such as an increasing number of wildfires with their toxic smoke, lethal heat domes and atmospheric rivers bringing more rain, more coastal storms and more flooding. But it’s children who are most at risk.
A federal election has now been called for April 28, 2025. Although the Canadian Union of Postal Workers does not endorse any party, we will be putting pressure on candidates from all parties to commit to defending our public post office and good stable jobs.