Canada Post tables new offers as CUPW slams federal plans, continues strike

Canada Post has presented new contract offers to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), saying the proposals balance the Crown corporation’s financial challenges with fairness for employees, while the union continues its national strike and denounces recent government directives.

The offers include a compounded 13.59 per cent wage increase over four years, continued defined-benefit pensions and health and post-retirement benefits. Canada Post says the proposals are intended to modernize operations and build flexibility in its delivery network as the company faces worsening financial losses.

Among the changes, the corporation is seeking to phase out its “job security for life” clause for urban employees and add new part-time positions with benefits. It also wants to align its post office network with community demand by lifting restrictions on closing or converting some urban post offices.

The measures follow a Sept. 25 federal directive for Canada Post to modernize its business, expand community mailbox use and plan for changes to rural delivery standards.

CUPW called the government’s plan a move to “gut the public post office and slash thousands of good jobs.” Union leaders were scheduled to meet with Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Joël Lightbound to demand the government rescind its modernization orders.

“We will be raising the problems of keeping a CEO and board that has mismanaged Canada Post for years and the conflict of interest that Purolator brings to the table and the movement of our work, including struck work, to other employees under the Canada Post umbrella,” CUPW said in a release.

The union continues its nationwide strike, accusing the corporation of mismanagement and diverting work to other divisions under the Canada Post umbrella.