1) Canada Post union calls for halt to overtime as deadline passes with no agreement

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Canadian Press Staff, May 23, 2025

The union representing about 55,000 Canada Post employees has called for a countrywide halt to overtime work, saying its negotiators will continue to review the latest contract offers from the mail carrier.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said late Thursday that members were being told to refuse any work beyond eight hours in a day and 40 hours in a week. 

Canada Post issued its own statement in response to the overtime ban, saying there are no rotating strikes or national work stoppages as of now, and postal operations will continue. However, the Crown corporation warned of possible delays. 

The latest salvo in the long-running labour dispute came with CUPW set to be in a legal strike position as of Friday. It also came after a Thursday evening meeting between the two sides failed to lead to a deal.

“The meeting lasted less than half an hour with CUPW raising only a small number of the many outstanding issues in an informal manner,” Canada Post spokeswoman Lisa Liu said in a statement. “It was unfortunately not enough to demonstrate meaningful progress.”

Liu said Canada Post asked the union to come back, “with urgency,” with a response to the offers the company presented earlier in the week.

The union had said the offers “fall short,” noting workers are seeking a 19 per cent wage hike after years of rampant inflation.

Part-time weekend work has proved one of the biggest sticking points in the negotiations.

Under recent collective agreements, mail carriers must be paid extra for shifts on Saturdays and Sundays, which are relatively rare. Canada Post had pushed for a corps of part-time workers to be deployed as needed on weekends and during peak periods in response to rising parcel demand — rather than paying wages to full-time employees at overtime rates.

The union on Wednesday said management wanted to raise the number of part-time positions in urban areas by 20 per cent, claiming that some staff “would be forced to stay up to 30 hours per week.”

Last week, a federally commissioned report proposed part-timers among a sheaf of drastic reforms. Calling Canada Post effectively “bankrupt,” it suggested a pivot toward package delivery as well as rural post office closures and more community mailboxes — overhauls that would undo a long-standing moratorium on both and also go beyond the scope of collective bargaining.

The 162-page paper by arbitrator William Kaplan homed in on Canada Post’s flagging business model. Asserting that the company faces “an existential crisis,” he recommended ending daily door-to-door letter mail delivery for individual homes while maintaining it for businesses.

Kaplan also proposed dynamic routing and part-time positions with compensation comparable to full-time positions. He argued against the prospect of “gigified jobs” — freelance work at often fluctuating pay rates and no benefits.

On Wednesday, Canada Post rejected the union’s call for a two-week “truce” that would have given workers time to review the latest offers in detail.

The union said it decided to proceed with an overtime ban to “minimize disruptions to the public and lost days to members.”

“Additional actions may take place in the future,” the union said. 

If workers were to hit the picket lines, it would halt delivery of nearly 8.5 million letters and 1.1 million parcels per weekday, based on 2023 figures.

The disruption would deepen the company’s growing financial hole. It notched an $803-million operating loss in the first nine months of 2024, part of $3.8 billion in losses since 2018.

The organization secured a $1.03-billion federal loan in January.

It would also be the second work stoppage in about six months.

A strike last year affected millions of residents, shippers and e-commerce retailers.

Overall, it resulted in an estimated $1.6 billion in losses for small businesses, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business

2)Here’s what to know if Canada Post workers go on strike again

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Craig Lord, May 21, 2025.

Canada Post has put a fresh set of offers on the table in its negotiations with the postal workers’ union, but there are no guarantees a deal will land before mail carriers are set to strike at the end of the week.

Seeking to avert another job action, the Crown corporation’s latest proposals include wage hikes and plans for weekend delivery.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers took to the picket lines for 32 days in late 2024, snarling mail delivery over the busy holiday shopping season.

While the federal government stepped in at the time to ask the industrial relations board to extend the current agreement and clear the backlog of deliveries, that reprieve is nearing its end.

Here’s what you need to know about how the looming labour disruption could affect your mail.

When would the strike begin?

The current agreement between Canada Post and CUPW is set to expire on May 22.

The union gave notice earlier this week of its intent to go on strike starting at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, May 23.

The two parties could reach a deal before then to avert a strike, but recent talks have been unproductive.

Canada Post issued a new set of proposals to CUPW on Wednesday, which the union said it would review before providing additional updates.

What would a strike look like?

CUPW has not yet announced whether it would implement rotating strikes or a national strike.

In either instance, Canada Post has warned customers to expect delays in deliveries.

In the case of rotating strikes, service will grind to a halt in some parts of the country but Canada Post will continue to deliver mail in unaffected areas.

For a national strike, Canada Post service will effectively shut down, with a few exceptions.

What happens to my mail?

No new mail would be accepted and existing letters and packages already in the postal system will not be delivered until the strike is over.

During last year’s shutdown, thousands of Canadians’ passports were held in limbo and holiday cards and gifts could not be delivered via the postal service, pushing consumers to utilize courier services instead.

Canada Post warns it will take time to get back up to speed following any kind of service disruption.

After the holiday strike last year was interrupted in mid-December, it wasn’t until Jan. 6 that Canada Post said its domestic service levels were back to normal. It wasn’t until mid-February that the rest of its service had normalized.

Canadian banks are warning customers their financial statements might be delayed in the event of a strike if they subscribe to paper-based updates and are not signed up for electronic messaging.

Canada Post delivers nearly 8.5 million letters and 1.1 million parcels per weekday, based on 2023 figures.

Are there any exceptions?

Canada Post and CUPW have agreed to continue the delivery of socio-economic cheques to Canadians even in the event of a labour disruption.

Government financial assistance has already been delivered for May, the Crown corporation said, and details for June deliveries will be available soon.

The delivery of live animals will also continue in the event of a strike, though no new animals will be accepted into the postal system in affected areas. — With files from Christopher Reynolds in Montreal

3) Need to know: Impact on City of Barrie mail if strike at Canada Post

Courtesy Barrie360.com and News Release

By City of Barrie, May 21, 2025

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) will be in a legal strike position as of May 23, pending the outcome of ongoing negotiations. A Canada Post labour disruption may disrupt mail services to and from the City of Barrie.

In the event of a Canada Post labour disruption, property owners/residents are reminded that they are still obligated to pay tax and water/wastewater bills as well as any fines/infractions by the due date. Final tax bills have been issued, and property owners can expect to receive their bills in the mail this week. The first instalment due date for the final tax bills is June 30. For more information visit barrie.ca/PropertyTaxes.

Residents are encouraged to consider signing up for water e-billing by creating an online water billing account. You will get notified by e-mail when your bill is due—it’s fast and easy. Visit barrie.ca/WaterBilling for more information.  

Other options for paying your water/wastewater and tax bills include:

• Pay Your Bills Online: Use online banking or an online bill payment service provider.
• In-Person Payments: Visit your bank, Service Barrie (First floor of City Hall – 70 Collier Street) or by dropping off a cheque in the drop boxes located at the front entrance of City Hall (70 Collier Street).
• Pre-authorized Payments: Sign up for pre-authorized payment plans to avoid delays.

Court Services

In the event of a Canada Post labour disruption, please do not mail your payment. Payments can be made on-line at paytickets.ca or by phone. If you wish to request a trial, or submit any other application, please email it or attend in person.   

Tickets Starting with 3860	Tickets Starting with 3861
POA.Barrie@barrie.ca	POA.Orillia@barrie.ca
Tel. 705-739-4291	Tel. 705-326-2960
45 Cedar Pointe Drive Barrie	575 West Street S Unit 10 Orillia

If you are paying an automated speed enforcement ticket fine through paytickets.ca and have received an error message, please try again in seven days from the deemed service date on your ticket.

In the event of a Canada Post labour disruption, administrative penalty orders may be delivered by an alternate courier. Penalty orders can be paid in person or through most Canadian banks or by phone at 705-739-4291.

Payments for parking tickets are accepted online for a period of 75 days from the date issued.

For further assistance or questions, contact Service Barrie at 705-726-4242 or ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca. Service Barrie is located on the first floor of City Hall (70 Collier Street) and is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

4) (Updated) Canada Post to make new offers ahead of strike deadline, union says

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Craig Lord, May 21, 2025

Canada Post has issued a new set of offers to the union representing postal workers as the clock ticks down to a possible strike.

The Crown corporation confirmed Wednesday it has filed a new set of proposals for workers in the urban bargaining unit and the rural and suburban units.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said its negotiating team was set to examine the proposals this afternoon.

The new offers come days after the union issued a strike notice that could see postal workers back on the picket line on Friday.

A bulletin from CUPW president Jan Simpson issued shortly after noon said the union will review the offers to ensure they align with the needs of its 55,000 members.

Canada Post said it has enhanced its wage offer for workers, with a gain of six per cent in year one, three per cent in year two and two per cent in years three and four, for a compounded increase of 13.59 per cent.

The proposal would come with six additional personal days on the calendar and better income replacement for short-term disability leave, the Crown corporation said.

Canada Post said it is also no longer proposing a new health benefits plan, changes to employees’ post-retirement benefits or enrolling future employees in the defined-contribution pension.

One sticking point addressed in Canada Post’s latest round of offers is the prospect of adding a corps of part-time workers that would allow for seven-day-a-week delivery.

Canada Post said in its new offers that it would provide health and pension benefits and schedule guaranteed hours for part-time workers.

It also would roll out an “initial, limited implementation” of dynamic routing — a move that would allow Canada Post to change routes daily to make more efficient use of workers’ time.

The union accused Canada Post of walking away from the table after the Crown corporation paused negotiations last week.

That pause came before the release of a federally commissioned report on the viability of Canada Post’s flagging business model in the context of labour negotiations.

Commissioner William Kaplan, who led the inquiry that drafted the 162-page report, wrote in it that Canada Post faces an “existential crisis.” He recommended phasing out daily door-to-door mail delivery, among other structural changes to the postal service.

Canada Post has warned of delays in mail deliveries if the union resumes its strike, which was interrupted over the holiday season when the federal government intervened in the labour dispute. — with files from Christopher Reynolds in Montreal 

5) (Updated) Canada Post workers issue strike notice, poised to hit picket lines Friday

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Christopher Reynolds, May 19, 2025

Canada Post received a strike notice Monday from the union representing more than 55,000 postal workers, with operations poised to shut down by the end of the week — for the second time in six months.

The union informed management that employees plan to hit the picket line starting Friday morning at midnight, the Crown corporation said.

A work stoppage would affect millions of residents and businesses who typically receive more than two billion letters and roughly 300 million parcels a year via the service.

No new items would be accepted until the strike ends, while those already in the system would be “secured” but not delivered, Canada Post said. Social assistance cheques and live animals mark the two exceptions, with delivery of both continuing — though no new animals would be let through — it said.

A 32-day strike during peak shipping season ahead of the winter holidays last November and December left millions of letters and parcels in limbo and a massive backlog to sort through.

Canada Post said the disruption would deepen the company’s grave financial situation and argued both sides should focus on hammering out a deal.

“It’s disappointing. It’s just going to increase the level of concern for our employees, small businesses, charities, people who are counting on Canada Post,” said spokesman Jon Hamilton in a phone interview Monday afternoon.

“Large customers have already been moving their items out of our system, knowing that May 22 was coming,” he added, referring to the expiration of a pair of collective agreements that had been extended until this Thursday.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said Monday it issued the 72-hour strike notice “in part to respond to the employer’s recent indication that it may unilaterally change working conditions and suspend employee benefits.”

The union noted that the last work stoppage ended after the federal government stepped in with a ministerial directive, resulting in a labour board ruling that summoned the parties back to negotiations.

“There is still time to return to the bargaining table,” the union stated, stressing its goal remains new contracts, including for the 23,000 mail carriers.

The labour impasse comes amid broader questions about the future of Canada Post, which notched an $845-million operating loss in 2023.

On Friday, a federally commissioned report on the 158-year-old institution highlighted its flagging business model and recommended foundational changes, including phasing out daily door-to-door letter mail delivery for individual residences while maintaining it for businesses.

The 162-page paper by William Kaplan, who headed the commission, stated that moratoriums on rural post office closures and community mailbox conversions should be lifted as well.

“Canada Post is facing an existential crisis,” he wrote.

“My recommendations are based on my conclusion that there is a way to preserve Canada Post as a vital national institution. I have designed them to respond to the present problem: to arrest and then reverse the growing financial losses by putting into place the necessary structural changes both within and outside the collective agreements.”

The union largely rejected the report’s findings.

“What we have seen so far has left us disappointed — but not surprised,” said spokeswoman Siân Griffiths in an email.

“The union, band councillors, municipalities, international organizations — and the public — took the time to research and send in thorough submissions in our support. All were dismissed in the report. Instead, the report simply regurgitates Canada Post’s proposals and positions,” she argued.

6) Weekend work a key sticking point between Canada Post, workers

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Christopher Reynolds, May 20, 2025

Weekend work remains a big obstacle in negotiations between Canada Post and its workers, who have threatened to walk off the job Friday in what would be their second strike in less than six months.

Under the current collective agreement, mail carriers must be paid overtime for shifts on Saturdays and Sundays.

Canada Post is pushing for a contingent of part-time workers to be deployed in response to demand that would include weekends.

Crown corporation spokesman Jon Hamilton says a more dynamic approach would also allow it to shift from a delivery model that revolves around letters to one rooted more firmly in the growing parcels market.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is arguing for purely full-time employment and says its goal remains new contracts and a sustainable postal service.

The union informed management Monday afternoon that employees plan to hit the picket line starting Friday morning at midnight, halting delivery of nearly 8.5 million letters and 1.1 million parcels per weekday.

7) (Updated) Canada Post report puts union in tight spot, experts say

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Craig Lord, May 17, 2025

A consequential report on Canada Post largely backs the Crown corporation’s story about its flagging business, experts say, and bodes poorly for the union attempting to negotiate a better deal for the postal service’s workers.

“If I was the union, I’m going to be very, very disappointed in this,” said Marvin Ryder, associate professor of marketing and entrepreneurship at the DeGroote School of Business.

The Industrial Inquiry Commission report lands with less than a week left for the Crown corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to reach a new collective bargaining deal — a deadline that could see mail deliveries halted again after a short reprieve from the holiday season strike.

The 162-page report made public Friday also recommends foundational changes for Canada Post, including phasing out daily door-to-door letter mail delivery for individual addresses while maintaining daily service for businesses.

It says the moratoriums on rural post office closures and community mailbox conversions should be lifted as well.

“My recommendations are based on my conclusion that there is a way to preserve Canada Post as a vital national institution,” commissioner William Kaplan wrote in the report.

“I have designed them to respond to the present problem: to arrest and then reverse the growing financial losses by putting into place the necessary structural changes both within and outside the collective agreements.”

The report was called for after Ottawa asked the Federal Labour Board to send postal employees back to work last year to end a strike that was disrupting holiday mail deliveries.

The report examined the state of Canada Post and its finances, in relation to reaching a labour deal.

Kaplan said that both sides were “diametrically opposed,” leading to stalemates at the bargaining table, but he put the onus for failing to reach a deal on one side in particular.

“Bargaining largely failed because one party – CUPW – is defending business as usual,” the report said, arguing the union is pushing for improvements on the “status quo.”

“In essence, his report is saying, ‘Hey union, you’ve got to change your tune,'” Ryder said.

“Now, will they? I don’t know, and so I would like to think this report is going to trigger some intense negotiations over the next few days.”

Kaplan wrote that Canada Post is facing an existential crisis and is effectively insolvent.

“Without thoughtful, measured, staged, but immediate changes, its fiscal situation will continue to deteriorate,” he wrote.

Canada Post CEO Doug Ettinger said in a statement Friday that Kaplan’s report offers the Crown corporation, its employees and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers “a frank and straightforward assessment” of the challenges facing the postal service.

He welcomed the report’s recommendations and said they come at a “critical time” as Canada looks to strengthen its economy to guard against U.S. threats.

Kaplan said that until recently, Canada Post was able to operate in a financially sustainable manner as low-cost urban and suburban mail delivery subsidized high-cost delivery to rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.

“This model no longer works because the traditional core business – mail delivery – has fundamentally changed: fewer letters must now be delivered to more addresses,” he wrote. 

Stephanie Ross, associate professor in the school of labour studies at McMaster University, agreed with Ryder that “on balance, (Kaplan) sides with the employer” in the report.

Among its other recommendations, the report says Canada Post must have the flexibility to hire part-time employees to deliver parcels on the weekend and to assist with volume during the week.

It also says Canada Post must also be able to change routes daily to reflect volumes.

Throughout negotiations, CUPW has pushed back on proposals that would see Canada Post take on part-time workers to fill shifts, arguing those moves could compromise job security for full-time employees.

Kaplan did state that any part-time work “should not be gigified jobs, but good jobs, attractive jobs,” that fall under the umbrella of terms in the collective agreement.

Ross said that recommendation was a silver lining for CUPW, but it will nonetheless be a difficult pill for the union to swallow if full-time workers are displaced and forced to instead take on involuntary part-time work.

“I’m left with a set of recommendations that are, I think, very bracing,” she said.

“And I don’t know what’s really in it here for the union except the sense that, if they don’t agree to these measures, they may not have jobs in the long run.”

The reprieve provided by the federal labour board expires on May 22, at which point a labour disruption could resume. Ryder noted that process is not automatic, and the union will have some leeway on when or if it wants to trigger a strike.

Ross said she does not, at first read, think the report moves the negotiations toward a resolution.

While the report makes the case that CUPW might need to make concessions, she said what’s still missing is an upside for workers if they were to abandon some of their sticking points.

“There’s no reason to think there won’t be a restarting … of the labour disruption,” Ross said.

CUPW said it “fundamentally” disagrees with most of the report’s recommendations and it challenges “some of the information on which it was based.”

“We have also objected to the entire process, but we felt that we had to participate in order to give voice to postal workers,” the union said in a statement.

It added that the recommendations “amount to service cuts, contracting out and major rollbacks to important provisions in our existing collective agreements.”

The union met with Patty Hajdu, the newly sworn-in minister of jobs and families, and John Zerucelli, the secretary of state for labour, on Friday to discuss the report and negotiations.

“Minister Hajdu sought to assure us that Canada Post was committed to the bargaining process and will present us with offers soon,” the union said.

Hajdu said in a statement posted to social media Friday afternoon that the report “offers thoughtful suggestions on how to continue good-faith negotiations.”

“It’s time for everyone to put aside their differences, focus on shared goals, and ensure a strong postal system now and into the future,” she said in a post on X.

Earlier in the week, Canada Post had hit “pause” on negotiations with the union.

The corporation said at the time it was regrouping after several days of unproductive talks to come up with proposals for the union that reflect the postal service’s financial reality.

CUPW dismissed this as a “tactic” and accused the employer of refusing to negotiate with “real intent.”

On Friday, Ettinger said Canada Post “will work with our bargaining agents and our shareholder, the Government of Canada, to address our challenges and secure a sustainable path forward.”