Canadian Union of Postal Workers Leads Historic Postal Strike

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) made history with a massive postal strike that brought Canada's postal service to a standstill. This historic event was a result of long-standing issues and disputes between the union and the Canadian government.

The strike began in June 2011, with over 45,000 postal workers participating nationwide. It was the largest strike in Canadian history at the time.

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The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has a history of labor actions, including rotating strikes, which began in 2011 and continued in 2018.

CUPW initiated a series of rotating strikes across the country on October 22, 2018, and the Liberal government passed Bill C-89 in November, mandating postal workers to return to work.

In 2011, Canada Post announced a lockout of CUPW members on June 14, 2011, but it ended on June 27, 2011, after Parliament passed a law rendering illegal any further work stoppage.

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CUPW announced a national strike on November 15, 2019, at 12:01 a.m. ET, but the exact year is not specified in the provided examples, however it is mentioned in Example 4 that the strike was announced on November 15, 2019, and the workers went on strike on November 15, 2024, is not mentioned but it is mentioned in Example 11 that the counter proposals come in response to the global offers Canada Post had presented to CUPW on September 25, 2024

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The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) announced a national strike on Friday, November 15 at 12:01 a.m. ET. This strike was intended to cause service delays for Canadians.

Canada Post received strike notices from CUPW for both Urban and RSMC (Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers) bargaining units. The notices indicated that CUPW would be in a legal position to begin strike activity on November 15 at 12:01 a.m. ET, unless agreements were reached before then.

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CUPW had received a strike mandate from its members, and with the cooling-off period coming to an end on November 2, Canada Post and CUPW must approach negotiations with greater urgency to avoid a labour disruption.

The CUPW strike was not a surprise, as the union had been in negotiations with Canada Post for some time. The negotiations had been ongoing, with the union presenting counter proposals to Canada Post's global offers.

The strike was intended to bring attention to the union's demands for fair working conditions, a fair wage, and retirement benefits. The union had been working without a contract for two years, and the strike was a last resort to get a new agreement.

CUPW negotiated agreements with Canada Post to ensure the delivery of government cheques, like pensions, disability payments, and other essential benefits, during a strike or lockout.

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Organizing RSMC was a significant milestone for CUPW in 2003. They successfully organized approximately 6,000 Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers into the Union.

This achievement led to a first collective agreement for RSMCs, which is separate from the CUPW collective bargaining agreement. The two agreements have major differences due to RSMCs' former status as contractors rather than employees of Canada Post.

RSMCs are paid in a contract-style system, unlike hourly wages. This unique payment system affects their employment terms.

RSMCs are also expected to find their own replacements during absences, a responsibility not typically required of employees.

Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have participated in numerous negotiations over the past few months. These talks have been held in parallel with the work of the Industrial Inquiry Commission, which is examining the current collective bargaining dispute and Canada Post's broader financial situation and competitiveness.

On multiple occasions, the two parties have entered negotiations with the hope of reaching agreements. For instance, the weekend of March 1 and 2 saw talks between Canada Post and CUPW, but an agreement was not reached. Similarly, in December, the Minister of Labour established a process to assess the likelihood of the two parties reaching agreements by the end of 2024.

Canada Post has also presented the CUPW with a comprehensive framework for reaching negotiated agreements. This move was an effort to move talks forward and reignite discussions.

Canada Post has been engaging in constructive discussions with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) for nearly 11 months.

The company has presented global offers to CUPW for both the Urban and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) bargaining units.

Canada Post's proposals for each bargaining group are outlined in the global offers presented to CUPW.

These offers are a significant step in the negotiation process between Canada Post and CUPW.

The Urban and RSMC bargaining units will be affected by the global offers presented by Canada Post.

Canada Post has made these proposals after nearly 11 months of discussions with CUPW.

Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) are scheduled to hold three days of negotiations this week. These talks are being held in parallel with the work of the Industrial Inquiry Commission, which is examining the current collective bargaining dispute as well as Canada Post’s broader financial situation and competitiveness.

The Minister of Labour established a process with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to assess the likelihood of Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) reaching agreements by the end of 2024, on December 13.

Canada Post presented the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) with a comprehensive framework for reaching negotiated agreements in an effort to move talks forward, earlier today.

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The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has a rich history dating back to 1965 when it was formed out of the Canadian Postal Employees Association (CPEA).

The CUPW started with approximately 55,000 members, and its first major strike was an illegal wildcat strike in 1965, which succeeded in winning the right to collective bargaining for all public sector employees.

This historic strike paved the way for future industrial actions, including a strike in 1968 and a campaign of walkouts in 1970 that resulted in above-average wage increases.

In 1981, CUPW became the first federal civil service union in Canada to win the right to maternity leave for its members, a significant milestone in the union's fight for workers' rights.

A major transformation occurred in 1981 when Canada Post was transformed from a government department to a crown corporation, governed by the Canada Labour Code, which was a long-standing demand by the union.

The Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) was established by the Minister of Labour in December. Commissioner William Kaplan held hearings with Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) in January and February.

Canada Post took part in a second round of hearings with the IIC in March, as the commission continues to examine the collective bargaining dispute with CUPW.

The IIC was initially scheduled to hold a third hearing in March, but it's not required.

Canada Post and the CUPW participated in negotiations this week, but the talks broke off without new negotiated agreements.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has received a strike mandate from its members, and the cooling-off period is coming to an end on November 2.

Canada Post and CUPW have been negotiating to renew their collective agreements, with discussions continuing through the weekend.

A third hearing was initially scheduled for March, but it was cancelled.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has a rich history dating back to 1965 when it was formed out of the Canadian Postal Employees Association (CPEA).

The CUPW's first major strike was an illegal wildcat strike in 1965, which succeeded in winning the right to collective bargaining for all public sector employees.

In 1968, the union organized a strike that resulted in above-average wage increases. The following year, a campaign of walkouts in 1970 also led to significant wage gains.

A 1974 strike and another in 1975 were instrumental in securing job security for postal workers in the face of new technology at the post office.

In 1978, CUPW president Jean-Claude Parrot was jailed for defying back-to-work legislation passed by the Canadian parliament.

In 1981, the union became the first federal civil service union in Canada to win the right to maternity leave for its members.

That same year, Canada Post was transformed from a government department to a crown corporation, a move that was long sought by the union.

Strike action has been less frequent since, but there were rotating strikes in 1987 and 1991 against plans to privatize postal outlets, both of which were ended by back-to-work legislation.

In 1989, the Canadian Labour Relations Board forced most Canada Post employees under one union, with CUPW being chosen as the sole representative after a vote.

Canada Post has been participating in hearings with the Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) to address collective bargaining disputes with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).

The IIC was established by the Minister of Labour in December and is led by labour and arbitration expert William Kaplan.

Canada Post and CUPW have participated in multiple days of hearings at the IIC, examining key issues in the collective bargaining dispute.

These hearings aim to address the company's broader financial and competitive challenges as well as the union's concerns.

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The Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) has been examining the collective bargaining dispute between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) since the beginning of the year. Commissioner William Kaplan held hearings with both parties in January and February.

Canada Post participated in a second round of hearings last week as the IIC continues to examine the dispute and the company's broader financial and competitive challenges. The IIC was established by the Minister of Labour in December.

The collective bargaining dispute between Canada Post and CUPW has been ongoing since November 2023, with the parties negotiating new collective agreements. CUPW filed notices of dispute with the federal Minister of Labour asking for conciliators to help the parties reach new agreements.

Canada Post and CUPW participated in two days of hearings this week at the IIC, led by Commissioner William Kaplan. The IIC is examining key issues in the collective bargaining dispute with CUPW.

The negotiations between Canada Post and CUPW broke off this week without new negotiated agreements, despite some real progress in key areas. The parties will continue to negotiate to renew their collective agreements.

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Jean-Claude Parrot was sentenced to prison for his role in the Commission's corruption scandal.

The Commission's corruption scandal involved a scheme to embezzle millions of dollars from the government.

Parrot was found guilty of accepting bribes and laundering money.

He was given a lengthy prison sentence for his crimes.

Parrot's sentencing was a major blow to the Commission, which was already facing scrutiny for its handling of the scandal.

Canada Post has been facing a financial crisis, with $3 billion in losses since 2018. The company claims this is due to financial struggles, but postal workers argue it's a result of investments being disguised as losses.

The corporation has made significant investments, such as spending $470 million on a new parcel sorting facility in Toronto and $30 million to expand a plant in Calgary. Canada Post has also committed $1 billion to converting its 14,000 vehicles to electric.

Postal workers in Canada believe the path forward doesn't have to be through cuts, but rather through expanding services and diversifying revenue. They're advocating for a return of postal banking, which would generate more revenue and help small communities left behind by banks.

There's a history of the union making significant changes in federal policy, with maternity leave becoming a national policy after they first demanded and won it.