Canada Post workers begin voting on five-year contract after labour strife

Voting starts Monday on a five year contract agreement at Canada Post, following years of fighting and walkouts over wages and structural changes.

The 55,000 employees represented by Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) can vote until May 30 on whether to ratify an agreement with the crown corporation.

While 60 per cent of the union’s board endorsed the contract and its job security, the union’s president wants members to turn it down, arguing it rolls back rights and compensation.

According to a CUPW statement, both sides have agreed to not engage in any strike or lockout activity while the ratification votes are cast.

Employees are also casting ballots on whether to authorize a strike mandate, in case they reject the contract.

The union’s lead negotiator Lana Smidt listed several reasons why urban postal workers should vote to support the tentative agreement, including job security, wages protected from inflation for the next three years and an improved extended health care plan with no changes to the cost sharing.

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