After nearly two weeks of voting, members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have rejected Canada Post’s final contract offers for both its Urban and RSMC (Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers) bargaining units, further prolonging a labour dispute that began more than a year ago.
The vote results, released Aug. 1, showed that 69.4 per cent of RSMC members and 68.5 per cent of Urban members voted to reject the offers. The outcome was formally communicated to Canada Post by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), which administered the vote.
Canada Post acknowledged the results in a brief statement, expressing disappointment while thanking employees and the CIRB for participating in the process. “This result does not lessen the urgent need to modernize and protect this vital national service,” the Corporation said. “However, it does mean the uncertainty that has been significantly impacting our business – and the many Canadians and Canadian businesses who depend on Canada Post – will continue. We are evaluating our next steps.”
CUPW National President Jan Simpson, in a strongly worded message to members, accused both the government and the Corporation of engaging in a months-long “propaganda campaign” meant to divide workers and push fear-based messaging. “Members stood up, stuck together, and they made their votes count,” she said. “It’s time for Canada Post to come back to the bargaining table and start seriously negotiating.”
The union has maintained a national overtime ban and warned against any future government intervention, such as back-to-work legislation or forced votes. “If the Government truly respects unions and collective bargaining, it will keep out,” Simpson added.
The rejected offers follow more than a year of negotiations, which saw rotating strikes last fall before federal intervention froze further action. Both sides have since returned to the table multiple times without reaching an agreement. With the latest vote complete, the impasse now shifts focus back to whether Canada Post will re-engage talks or consider other options.
For philatelists, the prolonged labour dispute raises concerns about ongoing delivery service reliability and upcoming fall issue mailings, especially as Canada Post prepares for key seasonal releases. CUPW has said it remains committed to reaching a fair deal and is ready to return to bargaining immediately.