Here’s What’s Happening With the Possible Postal Workers Strike

A significant majority of Canadian postal workers have voted in favour of strike action.

Members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) — both the Urban Postal Operations unit and the Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) unit — recently announced that members “voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.”

As for why postal workers are supporting a possible strike, members say they are overworked.

According to a recent CUPW release, strike votes were held across Canada between August 7 and September 9.

Provisional numbers show 93.8 per cent of urban workers and 95.9 per cent of rural workers support their bargaining committee and are ready to take action if necessary.

CUPW will be in a legal strike position as of September 26 if the parties cannot reach an agreement.

“Over the last decade, the working conditions of all our members has deteriorated, leaving many overburdened, with little time for their home life,” says Mike Palecek, National President, CUPW. “This ends now. Our members have spoken — this is the time to address serious workplace problems.”

CUPW also supports renewing the post office with expanded services that include postal banking, grocery delivery and greening the postal fleet and the post office.

“Postal workers are also bargaining for the future – future employees and everyone who relies on the postal service,” says Palecek. “Expanded public services at the post office will help our communities thrive, which is why we have put new services for all at the front and centre of our negotiations.”

CUPW says negotiators have had to address new issues arising from the changing nature of postal work, including the continued explosion of parcel volumes, which it says has placed huge burdens on members.

“Our negotiators will continue to work with Canada Post to develop a fair agreement for all our workers, and we will not settle for less,” says Palecek. “Our membership has given us a clear mandate to take job action if Canada Post doesn’t come to the bargaining table ready to make some changes to give our workers fair working conditions and expanded services benefitting everyone.”