Canada Post and Union Talks Ongoing; Strike Notice Possible if Negotiations Stall

Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) are continuing contract negotiations without a strike notice, though CUPW has warned it may issue one if talks fail. Negotiations, which have been underway for nearly a year, focus on the union’s demands for higher wages, safer working conditions, and a robust retirement plan.

As of Sunday, both parties agreed not to provide the required 72-hour notice of a strike or lockout “as long as the talks are productive,” Canada Post said in a brief statement. While CUPW has the legal option to strike, it has not yet issued a notice.

Canada Post’s latest contract offer, made last week, includes an 11.5% wage increase over four years, job security protections, health benefits, and the maintenance of a defined benefit pension for current employees. However, CUPW has expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the offer falls short of workers’ demands.

Earlier, CUPW members voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike mandate, with 95.8% of urban workers and 95.5% of rural workers supporting the option.

Canada Post noted that it is “rapidly falling behind in today's highly competitive parcel delivery market,” having incurred $490 million in losses in the first half of 2024 and $3 billion since 2018. The company has proposed a “more flexible and affordable delivery model,” including seven-day parcel delivery to better compete.

Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon met with both parties last Thursday, urging a negotiated settlement to prevent disruptions.