Wednesday May 14, 2025 | NATIONAL NEWS [Reporting from VICTORIA, BC] | Posted 12:47 am PT | Last update 11:28 am PT
Business analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Canada Post has advised their business customers that after several days of discussions “without meaningful progress” that the corporation has informed the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) that a temporary pause in discussions is necessary.
“This pause will allow Canada Post to focus on preparing comprehensive proposals aimed at moving discussions forward constructively,” it was stated in a Canada Post news release on May 13.
Union wants firmer timeline:
CUPW says that Canada Post would not provide a date for when the Union will receive these proposals.
“It could be in a few days; it could be next week. Given the seriousness of the matter, it is reprehensible to keep workers and the public on edge when we should all be focused on negotiating good collective agreements that will benefit workers and grow our public service to meet the needs of all Canadians,” said CUPW on their website yesterday.
Negotiations had resumed at the end of April:
Negotiations resumed at the end of April after breaking off in March.
“While CUPW requested that both parties return to the table with the assistance of a mediator, the union has either held or hardened its previous positions on key issues, leaving little room for progress,” says Canada Post.
“With collective agreements for CUPW-represented employees extended until May 22, 2025, we understand that our employees and the people we serve are counting on both parties to find a resolution and avoid further labour disruption. Canada Post has therefore advised CUPW that it will use this pause to prepare proposals designed to help advance negotiations and achieve a much-needed resolution. Any offers we bring forward will reflect the Corporation’s current realities,” says Canada Post.
Adapting to evolving needs:
“We recognize the significant challenges facing the Corporation and remain committed to adapting to the evolving needs of Canadians,” said Canada Post in their message to business customers.
“At the same time, we are focused on protecting and enhancing the wages and benefits that are important to our people.”
What this means for business customers:
“We had hoped a new collective agreement would be reached by this point, but without new agreements, there is a possibility of a labour disruption on or after May 22,” says Canada Post.
“We know the ongoing uncertainty is challenging for your business and understand you need to make plans for your business operations. Your business requires certainty in our ability to provide reliable service. We want to be able to provide that assurance, but we are preparing for all possible outcomes. We recognize that you need to prepare as well.”
“Being able to provide you with certainty remains our priority,” says Canada Post. “We are committed to keeping you informed so you can plan and prepare accordingly.”
A strike is likely:
But a strike is likely as both sides want different things — among other things CUPW wants to maintain full-time postal door-to-door delivery whereas Canada Post wants to shift to including weekend delivery and part-time workers.
Many businesses moving on:
Many businesses have already adapted to postal strikes over the years, using courier services or electronic transfer of information. These continued strikes together with an overall shift from letter mail to digital communications are thereby continuing to erode Canada Post revenues
So while CUPW says another strike will lose more customers that horse seems to be long out of the barn.
The postal worker strike in November-December 2024 lasted 32 days (eventually legislated back to work) and had significant negative impact on small businesses and home-based businesses that rely on Christmas season retail sales with deliveries by Canada Post as well as households and families who could not send over 3 million parcels.
This pushes both businesses and customers even further to shifting into the digital world in ways that don’t usually revert back.
Canada Post and workers together clearly need to find a new way forward — a new role for Canada Post in the business ecosystem.
===== RELATED:
- Breakdown of Canada Post mediated talks with postal workers (March 2, 2025)
- Canada Post parcel invoice system upgrade (February 13, 2025)
- Quietly stabilizing Canada Post with a $1.034 billion loan (January 24, 2025)
- Jan 13: Canada Post letter mail & parcel prices up (January 14, 2025)
- Canada Post domestic parcel service now fully restored (January 7, 2025)
- Canada Post service resumes Dec 17 with workers back on the job (December 17, 2024)
NEWS SECTIONS: BUSINESS & ECONOMY | JOBS & EMPLOYMENT