CUPW urges members to reject Canada Post’s latest offer as voting period opens

After more than a year and a half of talks and strike action that’s caused significant financial damage to the company, unionized Canada Post workers are expected to begin voting today on the Crown corporation’s latest contract offer. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is urging its members to reject the offer.

Today’s voting comes after Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to step in last month, which forced the vote.

“This moment is crucial in our struggle,” CUPW National President Jan Simpson said in a statement.

“Canada Post, supported by the Federal Government, is trying to weaken our Union and diminish our bargaining power. […] This was not an accident. It was a deliberate and calculated strategy to divide us, to silence our voices, and to try to push through collective agreements that do not meet the needs of workers.”

CUPW and Canada Post have been engaged in a lengthy period of negotiations, which has prompted sporadic strike activity. The company says this has increased its financial losses at a rate of $10 million per day during the month of June.

Canada Post’s latest offer reportedly includes a wage increase over four years, a signing bonus, and maintains certain job security clauses.

This is a developing story. More to come. 

READ MORE: Canada Post’s CUPW employees to vote on final offers starting July 21