Unionized Canada Post employees urge company to return to bargaining table

Paul Hollingsworth reports on the latest push by Unionized Canada Post employees to get the company back to the bargaining table.

Dozens of Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) workers rallied outside of Halifax West MP Lena Diab’s office, with the intention of sending a clear message to Ottawa.

“We are doing this across the country, and the message is for the MPs to tell Canada Post to go back to the table to negotiate,” said Dwayne Corner, CUPW local president, who added they want the federal government to intervene like it did during the recent Air Canada flight attendants’ strike.

Union negotiations with Canada Post have lasted more than 21 months with no deal in place. Last month, the union voted down what Canada Post called its final offer.

Workers recently reversed their overtime ban, but are now refusing to deliver commercial flyers.

“We are hoping that they will take this as a little bit more motivation to come back to the table,” Corner said.

In a statement, Canada Post said “this decision impacts the thousands of Canadian businesses that reach their customers with information and offers through the mail.”

Canada Post also said this latest move impacts CUPW-represented employees, who are paid to deliver flyers, on top of their wages.

Canada Post customers have mixed feelings about not receiving flyers.

“No, not at all,” said one customer who is glad to be rid of them.

“I like to price match. If I don’t get my flyer, I can’t price match,” said another customer who relies on flyers to find the best deal for groceries.

Workers hope this latest move will force Canada Post to re-examine the issues the union wants improved in their next collective agreement.

“We want fair wages, improved health and safety, expansion of the public service and the right to retire with dignity,” said Corner.

Canada Post said the company has lost more than $5 billion since 2018, and major workplace changes are needed to keep the company sustainable long-term.