Based on coverage from CBC, GuelphToday, CHCH, and CityNews Montreal.
In the ongoing saga of labour negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), the union has decided to switch tactics. As of Monday, postal workers will lift their overtime ban, which has been in place since late May, and instead, stop delivering commercial flyers. This move is part of the union's strategy to pressure Canada Post back to the bargaining table after more than a year and a half of stalled negotiations.
Jan Simpson, the national president of CUPW, has been vocal about the union's frustrations. "We ask when will it end? When will Canada Post stop stalling, ignoring results of the votes and start bargaining?" she questioned, urging Canada Post to accept the union's proposals or at least return to negotiations. The union is seeking a "fair, ratifiable" contract, and Simpson has hinted at "stronger actions" if progress isn't made, though she hasn't specified what those might be.
The union's latest proposal includes a significant wage increase—nine percent in the first year, followed by four percent in the second, and three percent in the subsequent two years. This is a step up from Canada Post's previous offer of a 13 percent increase over four years, which the union rejected in August. CUPW is also open to the introduction of weekend delivery and part-time workers, showing some flexibility in their demands.
Canada Post, on the other hand, is grappling with financial challenges. The Crown corporation reported a staggering $407 million loss in the second quarter of 2025, attributing part of this to the ongoing labour uncertainty. The company has expressed a need for the union to align its expectations with these financial realities, as it claims to be losing millions daily due to the current impasse.
The decision to halt flyer delivery is not just a bargaining chip; it's also a response to concerns about the working conditions of postal workers. Simpson pointed out that delivering flyers is not only underpaid but also poses health and safety risks due to their size and weight. "It's a health and safety concern because some of the flyers are oversized and heavy, impacting employees' work-life balance and safety," she explained.
This shift in labour action comes as the holiday season approaches—a critical time for postal services. The union hopes to resolve the dispute before the rush, but with Canada Post yet to formally respond to the latest proposals, the path forward remains uncertain. The federal government has been called upon to appoint negotiators at Canada Post who are willing to engage in meaningful dialogue, but so far, there's been no movement on that front.
The stakes are high, not just for the 55,000 postal workers represented by CUPW, but also for Canadians who rely on timely mail and parcel delivery. As the situation develops, both sides will need to weigh their priorities and find common ground, lest the postal service's financial woes deepen and the union's patience wears thin. For now, Canadians can only watch and wait, hoping for a resolution that keeps the mail moving and the workers fairly compensated.
