Canada’s postal workers are currently entrenched in a significant strike, voicing their defiance against their employer, Canada Post, as federal intervention looms large on the horizon. The workers, represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), are adamant they will not settle for subpar contract terms, even with the threat of being ordered back to work.
Over 100 picketers rallied outside the Calgary mail processing plant this past Saturday, showcasing their determination. Wycliffe Oduor, president of CUPW Local 710, which advocates for 2,500 Canada Post workers, declared, “We’ll figure out what our members are saying and (they’ll) give us direction. If no mail goes out, no mail goes out.” With tensions escalated, Oduor emphasized their commitment to fighting for significant changes, stating, “We must determine the content of our next contract … we weren’t out here four weeks for nothing.”
The situation has taken a turn, as Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon mentioned on Friday the decision to refer the labor dispute to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). This action could mandate approximately 55,000 postal employees to return to work, extending the current contract until May 22, 2025, if it becomes evident no immediate resolution is achievable. It’s anticipated the postal workers could officially resume their duties as early as next week.
Despite the looming return to work mandates, CUPW members are united against accepting what they dub “horrible conditions” affecting their work lives. Oduor explained, “On Monday, our picket lines will be up and running and we will not kowtow to an employer who uses the government to legislate us back … we are not going back.”
The union’s latest contractual proposal seeks to lower their original demand of a 24 percent wage increase to 19 percent over four years, also insisting on guaranteed hours for part-time employees. Canada Post, grappling with massive financial losses—including $748 million just this year—quickly rejected the demands, arguing fulfilling such requests would set them back $2.9 billion.
Many postal workers are feeling the strain of the situation, grappling with the repercussions of the strike on their finances. Kulwinder Singh, a letter-carrier, articulated his frustration: “What’s the point — we’ve been four weeks on strike and they’re saying we’re going to go back (to work). We’ve lost a month’s pay and next year we won’t strike because they’ll just order us back to work.” Another anonymous postal worker echoed Singh's sentiments, expressing concern for what awaited them when they returned.
The impacts of the strike extend beyond the workers’ immediate concerns. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) reported small businesses are losing around $100 million daily due to the strike disruptions, which also deeply affect charities reliant on mail for fundraising. CFIB President Dan Kelly commented, “The cost of the strike to small business has been significant. Nearly three-quarters of small firms report they will reduce their dependence on Canada Post going forward, making it even more challenging for the corporation to operate effectively.”
Alberta Federation of Labour President Gil McGowan, who attended the rally, articulated the constitutional right to strike, encouraging the federal government to prioritize fair negotiation processes over rushed interventions. “So which is it — do workers have the right to strike or not?” asked McGowan. “This is sending a message to all employers.”
Historical precedent shows this isn’t the first time government intervention has disrupted negotiations. Similar intervention occurred during the CUPW strike of 2018 after weeks of disputes, raising questions over the government’s role and its impacts on collective bargaining processes now and for future negotiations.
While CUPW members remain steadfast, the CIRB’s decision adds another layer of complexity to this prolonged dispute. The union expresses concerns over the prospect of starting negotiations anew should they be forced back to work, as Jim Gallant, CUPW negotiator, noted: “If we were to go back out on strike, the public, our members; who’s going to put up with twice this year?”
The situation continues to evolve, and as postal workers rally against the incoming government decisions, their bond as union members grows stronger. They remain resilient as they navigate the uncertainty and fight for their rights, determined not to allow their sacrifices over the past month to be altogether disregarded.
