Canada Post union presents new offers seeking higher wages

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) presented new offers to Canada Post Wednesday seeking higher wages over the next four years.

They’re asking for higher wages, but allowing weekend delivery and more part-time workers.

The proposal includes annual raises of 9 per cent in the first year, 4 per cent in the second, and 3 per cent in the third and fourth year, up to roughly 13 per cent over four years in Canada Post’s previous offer.

Unionized workers had rejected that earlier deal earlier this month.

The union’s new offer for its urban unit also includes provisions for adding part-time workers and weekend parcel delivery, with some limitations.

Under the proposal, weekend mail service would be mostly limited to parcel delivery, pickup and mail sorting.

Part-time workers hired to help with weekend service would be limited to 20 hours of work per week. The number of part-time workers scheduled for weekend duties would also not be allowed to surpass full-time workers also on shift.

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The union is also seeking extra payments for a cost-of-living adjustment to be triggered if inflation reaches 10.33 per cent in a given quarter. That’s a higher threshold than the roughly seven per cent outlined in Canada Post’s most recent offers.

The CUPW proposal also includes various benefits improvements, a better short-term disability program and largely maintains the status quo on the union’s defined benefit pension.

CUPW is also maintaining a national ban on overtime work as negotiations resume.

Canada Post said it is reviewing the new proposal and remains committed to bargaining.

Negotiations are set for Friday and Monday.

With files from The Canadian Press.

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