Potential Canada Post Work Disruption

June 28, 2016

On Saturday, June 25, 2016, Canada Post tabled offers for separate negotiations under way with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). With labor negotiations between Canada Post and CUPW ongoing since late 2015, the “cooling-off” period set to expire on July 2, 2016, and union members voting, overwhelmingly, to support a strike motion, a legal work disruption could occur as early as July 2.

In the event of a strike, Canada Post will not operate, mail and parcels will not be delivered, and no new items will be accepted. Any mail and parcels within the postal system during the strike would be secured and delivered once operations resume.

The main points of contention, between Canada Post and CUPW, is the implementation of a defined contribution retirement plan for new employees and the creation of new positions for evening and weekend deliveries, instead of regular workers taking overtime hours.

Negotiations Timeline

November 20, 2015 – Canadian Union of Postal Workers officially served Canada Post with Notice to Bargain for both the urban operations unit and the RSMC unit. Talks began between both parties shortly after the official notice and have been ongoing since last year.
December 31, 2015 – The collective agreement between Canada Post and CUPW-RSMC expired. The terms and conditions have continued to apply.
January 31, 2016 – The collective agreement with CUPW-Urban expired. The terms and conditions have continued to apply.
April 4, 2016 – Canada Post filed a request with the Federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour to appoint conciliators to help stimulate constructive discussion at the separate bargaining tables. The process for requesting conciliation assistance is established by the Canada Labour Code.
April 11, 2016 – The Federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour appointed conciliation officers to help in separate negotiations with the CUPW.
June 10, 2016 – The 60-day conciliation period officially ended, and a 21-day “cooling-off period” began. Talks continued.
July 1, 2016 – The “cooling-off” period is set to expire, which means a legal work disruption could occur as early as July 2, 2016.

If you have any questions about the ongoing labor dispute, please send an email to Deringer’s Marketing Department. Deringer will continue to monitor and report on the situation.