Latest news with #CanadianUnionOfPostalWorkers
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Posthaste: Canadians don't want Canada Post sold or privatized despite red ink and strikes, poll finds
Despite all the ongoing labour strife that has rocked Canada Post, many Canadians are opposed to selling or privatizing the struggling service, and a majority of them support an annual $20-per-person subsidy to protect universal delivery, according to a new poll by the Angus Reid Institute. The poll of about 4,000 adults conducted from June 2 to June 8 said 59 per cent opposed selling Canada Post while 29 per cent favoured selling it. The margin narrowed when it came to privatization, with 47 per cent against the idea and 38 per cent for it, though that only related to certain parts of the crown corporation. Nearly two-thirds said it was 'important' that Canada Post remain a public entity. To that end, 61 per cent said they would be willing to pay $20 per year to support Canada Post's mandate to provide universal service, which calls for cross-country mail delivery five days a week. 'Canadians do treasure their postal service, but at the same time, they are open to big changes,' Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, said. Canada Post has been mired in financial and labour troubles for the past few years. The federal labour minister on June 12 ordered the 55,000 Canada Post employees represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Worker to vote on the latest contract offer from the crown corporation after management and the union could not resolve their issues following 18 months of bargaining. The vote will be held by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, though a date has yet to be set. That decision came following a country-wide strike that started in November and only ended in mid-December when Ottawa intervened. There were also rotating strikes in 2018. On top of that, the crown corporation is bleeding money, having lost $841 million before taxes in 2024, according to its most recent financial report. The last time it turned a profit was in 2017. While a majority of Canadians want Canada Post to stick around, they also think changes are in order. For example, 72 per cent said they would favour cutting back mail service to three days a week, while just over half said that 'gig workers' should be used to help deliver mail and parcels 'if it improves cost and service quality,' and 72 per cent said Canada Post should offer other services, including banking and parcel lockers. A report commissioned by the government following the end of the 2024 strike recommended eliminating daily door-to-door delivery, but maintaining delivery to businesses. A physical mail service may seem antiquated in the digital age, but the poll also uncovered unexpected support among certain age groups. During last year's strike, older Canadians were the focus because they weren't receiving their pension payments and bills via the mail. However, Angus Reid said 57 per cent of people aged 18 to 35 feel Canada Post is important to them compared with 44 per cent of those aged 55 and up. 'The younger generation is really the generation that depends more now on Canada Post than, say, millennials or gen-Xers or baby boomers just because of the frequency of online shopping and the way that we're going in that direction,' Kurl said. Other findings included that 66 per cent said they don't support cutting the pay and benefits of unionized postal workers, despite support for using non-union workers. The urban/rural divide on the importance of Canada Post stood out, too, with 55 per cent of rural Canadians saying the service matters to them and they receive mail regularly compared with 45 per cent of urbanites. Nationally, a bit less than half of Canadians said Canada Post is important to them and receive mail regularly. On Thursday, Canada Post announced it had reached a deal with the union representing more than 8,500 employees primarily responsible for managing post offices in rural Canada. to get Posthaste delivered straight to your Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates the federal deficit will hit $46 billion in the 2024-2025 fiscal year because of better-than-expected revenues. Article content The PBO expects the deficit to be $4.3 billion lower than its estimate in its election-costing report and $2.3 billion lower than what was estimated in the fall economic statement, according to its updated economic and fiscal monitor report released Thursday. — Jordan Gowling, Financial Post Read the full story here. Today's Data: U.S. Philadelphia Fed Index, Canada retail sales for April, industrial product and raw materials price index Earnings: Carmax Inc. Homebuilding must nearly double over next decade to restore affordability, says CMHC Ontario Teachers' fund sells out of the airport business — for now 'We are not seeing inflation in our business,' Empire CEO says Jamie Golombek lays out everything you need to know about the new Canada Disability Benefit Maikaila Grossett works full time as a project management director in the social services field and moonlights as a baker, but her side business is reaching a point where she needs to make a critical decision. Find out more here. Are you worried about having enough for retirement? Do you need to adjust your portfolio? Are you starting out or making a change and wondering how to build wealth? Are you trying to make ends meet? Drop us a line at wealth@ with your contact info and the gist of your problem and we'll find some experts to help you out while writing a Family Finance story about it (we'll keep your name out of it, of course). Want to learn more about mortgages? Mortgage strategist Robert McLister's Financial Post column can help navigate the complex sector, from the latest trends to financing opportunities you won't want to miss. Plus check his mortgage rate page for Canada's lowest national mortgage rates, updated daily. Visit the Financial Post's YouTube channel for interviews with Canada's leading experts in business, economics, housing, the energy sector and more. Today's Posthaste was written by Gigi Suhanic with additional reporting from Financial Post staff, The Canadian Press and Bloomberg. Have a story idea, pitch, embargoed report, or a suggestion for this newsletter? Email us at posthaste@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CTV News
09-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Canada Post rejects union terms for arbitration as both sides enter bitter stalemate
GATINEAU — A government push to steer Canada Post and the union representing 55,000 mail workers toward common ground hit a big pothole Monday. As an increasingly acrimonious impasse drags on, Canada Post rejected a framework put forward by the union for a binding arbitration process, which Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu asked the parties to work toward just five days earlier. Canada Post spokeswoman Lisa Liu said the Canadian Union of Postal Workers has effectively refused to take heed of a federally commissioned report that called for major reforms to the 158-year-old institution, including more flexible routes and part-time weekend positions with similar pay rates and benefits. 'The union's refusal to recognize the IIC (industrial inquiry commission) report and its recommendations in their proposed terms of reference for arbitration is unacceptable,' she said in a statement. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said its goal remains a return to the bargaining table to hammer out a new contract. 'However, Canada Post's actions suggest it does not want to negotiate. It wants to rewrite our agreements — and is seeking to use government interference to further its goals,' the union said in a release Monday. Canada Post questioned that claim, noting that the union has not responded to its latest offer from May 28. The two sides exchanged some information on Thursday and Friday through federal mediators, but have had little contact since, the Crown corporation added. Meanwhile, the union called on members to sign a letter to the minister opposing the prospect of a forced vote on Canada Post's 'final offers.' The letter says that such a move — requested by Canada Post — would amount to government interference, tip the scales in the employer's favour and potentially sow division in the ranks of employees. 'The issues will remain contentious among some, most or all of the membership, depending upon how the vote goes,' the Sunday missive states, adding that resulting resentment would undermine labour peace. Union president Jan Simpson hinted at possible rifts within the membership last week, saying in an update that 'although tensions are high, let's not forget our fight is with the employer, not one another.' Canada Post's last proposal includes an end to compulsory overtime, signing bonuses of between $500 and $1,000 and cost-of-living payments that are triggered at a lower inflation threshold. Management's earlier offer of a nearly 14 per cent cumulative wage hike over four years remains unchanged, as does a plan to hire part-time staff for weekend parcel delivery — a major sticking point in the talks. Last Wednesday, the jobs minister called on Canada Post and the union to return to the bargaining table and hash out terms for binding arbitration, with the two sides acres apart on key issues. Hajdu also asked the Crown corporation and union to continue to work toward a deal outside of that process in a dual-track approach to reach a new contract. Progress along both tracks is now stalled. The union backed down from the threat of a strike last month, but imposed an ongoing overtime ban instead on May 23. A strike would mark the union's second work stoppage in six months, after mail carriers went on strike for 32 days at the height of the pre-holiday shipping season in November and December. That action was part of the same contract negotiations at issue now. Article by Christopher Reynolds.
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Postal workers' union files labour complaint against Canada Post
A Canada Post truck is seen on a road in Montreal on Tuesday, Dec.17, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has filed an official complaint against Canada Post over alleged unfair labour practices . In a statement released Wednesday, the union wrote that the complaint to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) stemmed from the postal carrier 'bargaining directly with members,' conduct they say interferes with CUPW's exclusive bargaining rights. The union statement cited numerous behaviours allegedly undertaken by Canada Post, including 'captive audience meetings, videos, press releases, documents' and other means to direct audiences to the Crown corporation's website, methods they claim served to 'bypass the Union.' Communications materials included 'alarmist comments' and 'misinformation,' the statement alleges. 'The Union is asking the CIRB to order Canada Post to stop this interference, level the playing field by giving the Union opportunity to rebut the employer's misinformation on their platforms and order damages to the Union and members,' it reads. In a statement to CTV News Thursday morning, Canada Post rejected the union's allegations 'in their entirety,' including claims it had negotiated directly with its employees. 'Under the Canada Labour Code, employers are permitted to express views and communicate with employees during collective bargaining,' it reads. 'Canada Post has exercised this right responsibly, delivering accurate, neutral, and factual information … We remain fully committed to concluding collective agreements through the proper channels.' Carrier, union divided on next steps The complaint comes amid a push to bring Canada Post and the union representing its workers back to the bargaining table . On Wednesday, Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu asked the parties to resume negotiations with the aid of federal mediators, noting that 'Canadians expect the parties to resolve this dispute one way or another.' In recent days, Canada Post has asked Hajdu to order a vote on the carrier's most recent offer, while the union has requested binding arbitration to resolve the labour dispute. Both sides have released statements rejecting the other's proposed way forward. 'Canada Post is seeking a timely and fair resolution to restore stability to the postal system while ensuring employees have a voice in the process by allowing them to vote. The union's proposal to send the matter to binding arbitration would do the opposite,' a Sunday statement from the Crown corporation reads.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Canada Post, union set to return to bargaining table as OT ban continues
Canada Post signage and parked vehicles are seen at a Canada Post mail sorting facility in Ottawa, on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby Canada Post and the union representing 55,000 of its workers are set to head back to the bargaining table this week as an overtime ban remains in effect. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says the Crown corporation has proposed continuing talks on Wednesday. It says Canada Post plans to respond to proposals the union presented on Sunday. The union had been in a strike position starting Friday but opted instead for an overtime ban. Some key issues in the labour dispute include wages and other forms of compensation, along with the potential of more part-time staff and weekend delivery. The postal service has said parcel volumes last week were down 50 per cent from last year and dropping. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025. The Canadian Press
Reuters
27-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Canada Post to stay operational; union calls for ban on overtime work
May 23 (Reuters) - Canada Post said on Friday that operations will continue, but customers may face delays due to a union-imposed ban limiting workers to eight-hour shifts. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) announced an immediate nationwide overtime ban, directing members to refuse work beyond 40 hours per week, it said in a separate release. "At this time, there are no rotating strikes or national work stoppage," Canada Post said. The development comes after Canada Post met with the union Thursday evening to continue contract negotiation talks. However, a spokesperson for Canada Post said the meeting lasted less than 30 minutes and "was unfortunately not enough to demonstrate meaningful progress." Canada Post had previously received notices from the union indicating that it would begin strike activity from Friday. In case of a nationwide strike, the postal company had said it would not accept any new items until the disruption was over, and mail and parcels would not be delivered.
