Postal union gives 72-hour notice of possible walkout; mail might not be delivered starting Friday

 Video statement by CUPW president Dennis Lemelin
The required 72 hours notice has been given by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) for strike action against Canada Post Corporation, which could mean that mail will not be delivered starting on Friday morning. The triggering of strike notice required by federal labour law does not necessarily mean that there will be a postal walkout, only that the union reserves the right to do so. Negotiations are likely to continue right up to the deadline.

The union, representing about 48,000 letter carriers and inside postal workers has been a legal strike position since May 25 and is backed by a mandate from its members of almost 95 per cent, according to a story in the Toronto Star. Negotiations have been going on for 7 month and most of the contention concerns rollbacks of benefits that had been in the last and previous contracts. 

At issue are wages, especially for new hires, as well as sick leave, pensions and technological changes. The union has also questioned management’s assertion that its demands would cost $1.4 billion over the contract term.

Citing rising inflation, the union is proposing wages of 3.3 per cent, 2.75 per cent, 2.75 per cent and 2.75 per cent in each year of a four-year deal.

Canada Post has offered a four-year deal with wage increases of 1.9 per cent, 1.9 per cent, 1.9 per cent and 2.0 per cent in each year.