Canada Post employees to vote on final contract offers amid labour dispute

More than 53,000 Canada Post workers represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) will vote on the Crown corporation’s final contract offers between July 21 and Aug. 1, marking a critical juncture in negotiations that have spanned 19 months.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), an independent tribunal, issued a Notice of Vote July 16 and will administer the confidential vote. Employees in the Urban and RSMC (Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers) bargaining units will vote privately by phone or online on their respective offers.

If a majority in either unit accept the offer, it will become the new collective agreement for that group, potentially resolving a labour impasse that has persisted since December 2024 despite mediation, four global offers, and an Industrial Inquiry Commission.

CUPW is advising its members to vote “no.”

“This round of bargaining has been one of the most challenging we’ve ever had. I know you are anxious about your future and frustrated about what feels like a never-ending round of bargaining, but now is not the time to give up and give in. We cannot back down. We will not accept collective agreements that silence workers,” the union advised its members. “That’s why you need to vote no. A strong no vote not only rejects these bad offers, but it also protects our future and the integrity of the bargaining process. It shows both Canada Post and this government that postal workers stand united.”

The vote follows the Canada Labour Code’s provision allowing the Minister of Jobs and Families to call for a vote in the public interest.

The final offers, presented May 28, include wage increases totaling 13.59 per cent over four years, a $1,000 signing bonus for full-time employees ($500 for others), protection of defined benefit pensions and job security, the creation of part-time roles with predictable hours and benefits, and phased changes to delivery models to balance workloads and improve service.

CUPW reignited strike action May 23 with an overtime ban, renewing uncertainty for customers following a national strike in late 2024. Despite the disruptions, Canada Post says it has maintained full staffing to continue operations.

However, the corporation reported operational losses in June reaching approximately $10 million per day — more than double the daily average in June 2024 — as parcel volumes declined sharply amid customer concerns.

“These record losses are clearly unsustainable, especially if the uncertainty continues,” the company stated.