Latest news with #CanadaLabourCode
Cision Canada
14 hours ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Protecting Canadian Labour: Replacement Workers Legislation now in Force
GATINEAU, QC, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - As of today, Bill C-58, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code and the Canada Industrial Relations Board Regulations, 2012, came into force. This legislation strengthens protections for Canadian workers – because they are the foundation of Canada's ambition. What we heard is that the use of replacement workers compromises the fundamental right to strike; it can tip the scales, derail good faith bargaining, and heighten tensions. That is why the Government of Canada introduced and passed Bill C-58. Starting today, the use of replacement workers to do the work of unionized employees who are on strike or locked out is prohibited in federally regulated workplaces, allowing parties to stay focused on reaching fair, negotiated deals. Changes have also been made to improve the maintenance of activities process. Employers and unions must now come to an agreement within 15 days after notice to bargain is issued to determine what work needs to continue to protect the health and safety of the public during a work stoppage. If they cannot agree, the Canada Industrial Relations Board will decide what activities need to be maintained, if any. A strong economy depends on stable labour relations. These amendments to the Canada Labour Code will improve labour relations, protect workers' right to strike, limit interruptions to collective bargaining and provide greater stability to the economy during federal labour disputes. At the heart of the Government's vision is collaboration – and we thank the unions, stakeholders, workers and partners for their work on this bill – to make sure Canada has the skilled talent and support to meet the needs of this critical moment. Quotes "Banning the use of replacement workers in federally regulated sectors during strikes or lockouts is a major win for workers' rights, collective bargaining, and fairness. This is a historic victory after decades of union advocacy and paves the way for more stable, respectful labour relations in Canada." – Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario "The Canadian labour movement has been asking for this for a long time. The use of replacement workers during federal strikes and lockouts is officially prohibited. This marks a milestone that levels the playing field and ensures parties work towards getting a fair deal at the bargaining table." – John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour) Quick facts The legislation was developed through extensive consultations with unions and employers and received support in Parliament. From 1999 to 2025, a limited prohibition on replacement workers was in place. Prior to 1999, employers were not prohibited in any way from using replacement workers during a strike or lockout. The ban on replacement workers applies to any strike or lockout ongoing on or after June 20, 2025, and the new maintenance of activities requirements apply to any collective bargaining process for which notice to bargain is given on or after June 20, 2025. Exceptions may apply in situations where there are health and safety threats that cannot be managed by the employer's existing workforce. A union or an employee who believes that an employer is violating this ban can file a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), which will investigate the issue. The CIRB is the independent administrative tribunal that resolves workplace disputes and certain appeals that arise under the Canada Labour Code. SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Canada Post reaches deal with rural union after 18-month standoff as talks stall with 55,000 CUPW workers
After 18 months of tense negotiations, Canada Post has reached an agreement with its second-largest union, which represents roughly 8,500 members, bringing much-needed relief to rural postmasters and assistants across the country. Yet the larger and more fraught negotiations continue with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers ( CUPW ), which represents 55,000 urban and rural mail carriers. The latest contract by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read Now Undo The freshly inked contract with the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA) runs from January 1, 2024, to Dec 31, 2026. It guarantees an 11 percent wage increase over three years, divided as 6 percent in the first year, 3 percent in 2025, and 2 percent in 2026, with full retroactive application to January 2024. CPAA members, representing 8500 members and largely based in rural communities, say the raise recognizes the unique challenges they face, including isolation, limited resources, and underused offices that remain vital lifelines in their towns. Live Events 'This means I can think about repairs or extending hours without fretting about finances,' says rural postmaster Rachel Dalton, who oversees a post office in northern Ontario. 'It may not sound glamorous, but for our community, it matters.' Canada Post credits progress to intervention from a federal arbitrator, which centered on a stern Industrial Inquiry Commission report outlining the corporation's financial pressures . Still, that same report also guided discussions with CUPW. Canada Post formally requested last month that CUPW members vote on its final offer under Section 108.1 of the Canada Labour Code. Tensions remain high. CUPW has imposed an overtime ban since May 23, citing stalled talks as their reason. Urban mail carriers report mounting stress: slower deliveries, weekend backlogs, and surging public frustration. Canada Post reports losses of over $1 billion since 2018, including $4.9 billion in labor costs vs $6.9 billion in revenue in 2023. With parcel delivery costs topping benchmarks, the corporation insists it can't afford unsustainable wage hikes.
Hamilton Spectator
13-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Amazon deliveries halted in some rural areas
GLENBORO — A local entrepreneur is concerned about the vulnerability of small towns after his Amazon deliveries were halted due to labour uncertainty at Canada Post. Liam Kelley, owner of Kelley Laser Engraving Services, told the Sun Thursday that for three weeks, deliveries to his business from Amazon have been disabled unexpectedly. The businessman said the stoppage causes him to worry that small communities are at risk of being stripped of services they depend on. 'Having a service like that, that just goes mysteriously dark … it's a little scary,' Kelley told the Sun. 'At any moment, something we rely on can be cut off.' Glenboro Mayor Charles Radford confirmed to the Sun that he has also seen Amazon deliveries stop. For his business, Kelley orders bulk quantities of small items like magnets and coasters through Amazon. An order to his home was cancelled three weeks ago, and then followup orders were frozen, and his address is now treated as invalid when he inputs it for delivery options. In an email to the Sun, a spokesperson for Amazon confirmed that there are new issues with delivery to some areas in Canada. 'Amazon is temporarily unable to ship to addresses that are uniquely served by Canada Post, because we are currently unable to guarantee delivery times,' the spokesperson wrote. 'This includes PO boxes, and pickup points and communities that are only serviced by Canada Post.' The spokesperson encouraged customers to switch to delivery provided by alternative carriers, or to use a nearby Amazon Counter pickup point. The stoppage demonstrates how Glenboro and other small communities are vulnerable, Kelley said. 'It's kind of a town issue. It's a thing that puts the town's survival in jeopardy,' he said. Glenboro had a population of 544 people in the most recent census, in 2021. Kelley said he believes that small communities need to work on being more self-reliant, such as by manufacturing things locally. 'God help us if we lose Canada Post.' Kelley said he now can't obtain certain items that he planned to engrave. He travels the one-hour drive to Brandon to search for materials, but some items are not available, especially in bulk quantities, he said In the Canada Post dispute, developments continued Thursday in the effort to secure a contract between the Crown corporation and unionized workers. The federal government asked union employees to vote directly on the latest offers that the postal service made. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu announced in a social media post that she's using her powers under the Canada Labour Code to send the Crown corporation's latest offers to Canadian Union of Postal Workers members for a vote. The Canada Industrial Relations Board will be directed to conduct the vote 'as soon as possible,' she said. Canada Post spokesperson Lisa Liu said the corporation welcomes the vote. Hajdu said it's in the 'public interest' to give the roughly 55,000 CUPW members an opportunity to vote on the offers, which Canada Post has said are its 'final' proposals. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
13-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada Post labour strife jeopardizes Amazon rural deliveries
GLENBORO — A rural businessman said he's been left high and dry because his Amazon deliveries were halted due to labour uncertainty at Canada Post. Liam Kelley, owner of Kelley Laser Engraving Services, told the Brandon Sun Thursday that for three weeks, deliveries to his business from Amazon have been disabled. The stoppage makes him to worry that small communities will be stripped of vital services. 'Having a service like that, that just goes mysteriously dark… it's a little scary,' Kelley said. 'At any moment, something we rely on can be cut off.' Glenboro Mayor Charles Radford confirmed Amazon deliveries have stopped. Kelley orders bulk quantities of small items such as magnets and coasters through Amazon. An order to his home was cancelled three weeks ago, and then followup orders were frozen, and his address is invalid when he inputs it for delivery options. A spokesperson for Amazon confirmed there are problems with delivery to some areas in Canada. 'Amazon is temporarily unable to ship to addresses that are uniquely served by Canada Post, because we are currently unable to guarantee delivery times,' the spokesperson wrote. 'This includes PO Boxes, and pickup points and communities that are only serviced by Canada Post.' The spokesperson encouraged customers to switch to delivery provided by other carriers, or to use a nearby Amazon Counter pickup point. The stoppage demonstrates how Glenboro and other small communities are vulnerable, Kelley said. 'It's kind of a town issue. It's a thing that puts the town's survival in jeopardy,' he said. Glenboro had a population of 544 people in the most recent census, in 2021. Kelley said he feels that small communities need to work on being more self-reliant, such as by manufacturing things locally. 'God help us if we lose Canada Post.' Kelley said he can't obtain certain items he had planned to engrave. He drives one hour to Brandon to search for materials, but some items are not available, especially in bulk quantities, he said In the Canada Post dispute, developments continued Thursday to secure a contract between the Crown corporation and unionized workers. The federal government asked union employees to vote directly on the latest offer made by Canada Post. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said in a social media post she's using her power under the Canada Labour Code to send the Crown corporation's latest offer to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers members for a vote. The Canada Industrial Relations Board will be directed to conduct the vote 'as soon as possible,' she said. In a media statement issued Thursday, Canada Post spokesperson Lisa Liu said the corporation welcomes the vote, adding 'it will provide employees with the opportunity to have a voice and vote on a new collective agreement at a critical point in our history.' 'A negotiated agreement between the parties has always been the preferred path to an employee ratification vote, however the parties remain at a major impasse,' Liu said. Hajdu said it's in the 'public interest' to give the roughly 55,000 CUPW members an opportunity to vote on the offer, which Canada Post has said is its 'final' proposal. While Canada Post requested the vote as a way to resolve the 18-month-old dispute in a timely manner, the minister directed the parties last week to hash out terms for binding arbitration — a process CUPW said it would support. — Brandon Sun, with files from The Canadian Press
Hamilton Spectator
13-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Government orders vote on Canada Post contract offer in move union slams as attack on workers' rights
Federal jobs minister Patty Hajdu has ordered a vote on Canada Post 's 'final' contract offer to 55,000 employees, a move immediately slammed by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers as an attack on workers' rights and something labour experts say might not bring an immediate end to the bitter contract dispute. Hajdu made the announcement Thursday morning on the social media platform X. 'Today, I have decided to exercise my authority under section 108.1(1) of the Canada Labour Code to direct a vote on the final offers that Canada Post submitted to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) on May 28, 2025,' Hajdu posted. 'After 18 months of negotiation, over 200 meetings between the parties, 33 days of strike and lockout in the fall, and ongoing strain placed on Canada's small businesses and communities, it is in the public interest that the membership of CUPW has the opportunity to vote on Canada Post's last offers.' The vote will be administered by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. Sources said the CIRB is expected to meet with the two sides in the coming days to lay out the mechanics of the vote , and look at lists of workers eligible to vote. The vote is expected to take place within roughly two weeks. In an emailed statement, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers slammed the order as an attack on workers' rights. 'Once again, Canada Post and the government are colluding to take away the rights of workers to freely and fairly bargain collective agreements. They seek to overturn and rewrite decades of hard-won rights and working conditions to make unilateral changes to collective agreements,' CUPW said, adding that it will be urging members to reject the offer. 'Forced deals will not achieve labour peace. This also sends a signal to other employers and the labour movement about how far this government will go to trample on the rights of workers,' CUPW added. While CUPW could have its members start a full strike — or even a rotating one — as a response to the order, all the union said publicly Thursday is that it would continue its ban on working overtime, a 'strike action' it began May 23. Earlier this week, CUPW criticized the Crown corporation, saying it was trying to avoid a negotiated settlement by asking Hajdu to order a vote, and by insisting any arbitration be based on a key report from veteran mediator William Kaplan, who said Canada Post was effectively insolvent. Kaplan also said there's an impasse in bargaining, suggested arbitration wouldn't be a good choice to deal with Canada Post's need for restructuring, and said a final offer would be the third option for an end to the dispute. In an emailed statement, the Crown corporation praised Hajdu's decision, which it had requested for weeks. 'We welcome the minister's decision as it will provide employees with the opportunity to have a voice and vote on a new collective agreement at a critical point in our history,' Canada Post said. 'This ratification vote comes as the parties remain at an impasse after 18 months of negotiations, a national strike and an Industrial Inquiry Commission which detailed the challenges we face, and what needs to be done to begin addressing them.' Earlier this month, Canada Post rejected the union's request for binding arbitration, saying it would take too long, and could exacerbate their financial struggles. On May 28, Canada Post made what it called its 'final' contract offer, which includes a 13 per cent wage increase spread over four years, as well as a $1,000 signing bonus. Two days later, it asked Hajdu to order a vote on the offer. A forced vote could tempt workers who'd otherwise be in favour of the offer to turn it down, labour experts suggested. 'Canada Post's decision to ask the minister to approve a forced vote will likely result in a backlash that helps unify a divided CUPW membership in opposition to the employer,' said Brock University labour studies professor Larry Savage. But Hajdu's order almost certainly makes life difficult for CUPW, no matter which way the vote goes, argued Steven Tufts, a labour studies professor at York University. 'The union's in a lose-lose situation. If the members accept, then that's really going to be a challenge for the union. If they turn it down say, 60-40, then you still have a large chunk of the members not enthused about a strike, and there's no clear path forward,' said Tufts. Labour law professor David J. Doorey said the vote is Canada Post's last hope of avoiding binding arbitration, but warned it could backfire. 'It's a risky move, because if the workers vote down the employer's offer, it seems almost certain that the government will impose arbitration against Canada Post's wishes,' said Doorey, a professor at York University's Osgoode Hall law school. Last week, CUPW filed a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board accusing the Crown corporation of doing an end-run around the union to negotiate directly with workers and 'purposefully trying to discredit the reputation of the union.' The complaint also asks the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order damages be paid to the union. The Crown corporation said it had every right to communicate with its workers, and said it will fight the complaint. CUPW members have been in a legal strike position since May 23, but their strike action has thus far been limited to a ban on overtime work. Kaplan's May 15 report said Canada Post was effectively insolvent , and suggested the use of community mailboxes, the elimination of home delivery except for parcels, and getting rid of some post office locations and replacing them with franchises. Kaplan also suggested expanding parcel delivery to seven days a week, with the use of part-time and temporary employees.
