I have several friends who currently work, or have previously worked, for Canada Post. From their perspective, most employees tend to take a hands-off approach when it comes to the union. In the real world, many of us—myself included—do not have the time or patience for the complexities of union politics, and unfortunately, unions often use this disengagement to their advantage.
When the public hears about a Canada Post strike, it is easy to forget that the actual driving force behind such actions is the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). This is not to say that workers do not value the benefits of unionization; however, based on my personal experience, approximately 25–30% of Canada Post employees want nothing to do with the union.
Therefore, when you hear about some of the more aggressive demands put forward by CUPW, it is important to remember that these demands do not necessarily represent the views of the entire workforce.
The Vote: July 21 – August 1, 2025
Unionized postal workers are voting between July 21 and August 1 on Canada Post’s final offer. CUPW is urging its members to vote against the offer, describing it as a “forced vote” that undermines the principles of free and fair collective bargaining. Canada Post, on the other hand, argues that the proposal balances what employees value most with the corporation’s current operational realities.
Key Highlights of Canada Post’s Final Offer
- Signing Bonus
- $1,000 for full-time regular employees
- $500 for all other employees
- Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)
- Adjustments triggered if inflation exceeds 7.16% between February 1, 2025, and January 31, 2028.
- Wage Increases (Retroactive to February 1, 2024)
- Year 1: 6%
- Year 2: 3%
- Year 3: 2%
- Year 4: 2%
- Short-Term Disability Improvements
- Up to 80% of regular wages for 30 weeks (previously 70% for 17 weeks).
- Pension Plan Adjustments
- New hires must work six consecutive months before joining the defined benefit pension plan.
- Personal Days
- 13 multi-use personal days annually (7 paid).
- Up to 5 unused days may be carried over each year.
- Dynamic Routing for Urban Workers
- Routes updated daily based on mail volume.
- Per-piece payments for neighborhood mail remain until 2030.
- Compulsory overtime eliminated.
- Part-Time Flex Positions
- Minimum of 20 hours per week.
- Created to help cover absences and manage workload.
- Weekend Parcel Delivery Expansion
- New system to increase seven-day-a-week delivery capacity.
- Operational Changes
- Separate sort and delivery tasks.
- Removal of 5-minute wash-up breaks before meals.
- Route optimization for rural workers, with weekend flex scheduling.
Why CUPW Opposes the Offer
CUPW has created an online “fact-check portal” to explain its opposition. Key concerns include:
- Insufficient Wage Increases:
The union argues that the 6% wage increase effectively translates into only 1% due to previous COLA adjustments. - Weekend Parcel Delivery:
CUPW claims this will lead to unstructured schedules, reduce overtime opportunities for full-time employees, and put excessive power in management’s hands. - Part-Time Flex Positions:
The union fears these positions will undermine full-time jobs, reduce overtime opportunities, and weaken union oversight. - Dynamic Routing:
CUPW believes daily route changes will lead to unsustainable workloads and create favoritism in scheduling. - Separate Sort from Delivery:
The union argues that separating tasks will overwork sorters and carriers and expose carriers to harsher working conditions. - Removal of Wash-Up Time:
CUPW considers the elimination of the 5-minute wash-up period before meals to be a health and safety concern.
In a statement issued on July 18, CUPW declared:
“The offer ignores the realities on the work floor, fails to address key demands, and threatens hard-won protections.”
If the majority votes against the offer, CUPW has stated that it will resume negotiations with management and maintain the overtime ban that has been in effect since May 23, 2025. Under this ban, workers may refuse overtime regardless of whether all deliveries have been completed.
In conclusion, this latest round of negotiations highlights the tension between Canada Post’s efforts to modernize and streamline operations and CUPW’s determination to protect the interests of its members. The outcome of this vote will determine the next chapter in the evolving relationship between the corporation, the union, and the Canadian public.
