The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post are meeting today in an effort to restart stalled contract negotiations. Federal mediators are joining the session, which aims to establish an agenda for renewed discussions over the coming days.
According to CUPW, the goal of the meeting is to “help the parties find some common ground to advance negotiations.” The talks come amid mounting pressure following weeks of limited progress toward new collective agreements for both postal bargaining units.
CUPW National President Jan Simpson said the union remains focused on achieving fair, ratifiable agreements but criticized Canada Post’s latest proposals, tabled on Oct. 3, calling them “a step backward.” The union argues that the new offers fail to address key issues previously rejected by members during a government-mandated vote earlier this fall. CUPW says Canada Post’s proposals include additional rollbacks, such as potential cuts to job security and the closure of corporate post offices – moves the union says are counterproductive to progress at the bargaining table.
The meeting also takes place as a 45-day deadline approaches for Canada Post to respond to the federal government’s recent announcement regarding service reductions. The union claims such interventions have encouraged Canada Post to adopt a tougher stance in negotiations.
“Postal workers aren’t backing down,” Simpson said. “Our public post office matters. Our jobs matter.”