Canada Post has reached tentative short-term agreements with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).
The agreements will avert a work disruption, bringing much-needed certainty in the postal system for employees and customers.
“Canadians can now use the postal system with confidence,” says Canada Post in a statement. “This is especially important as Canadian businesses large and small are already planning for the upcoming holiday shipping season.”
These agreements are for a period of two years, rather than the typical four-year contracts negotiated in the past.
“The issues facing the corporation, with declining mail volumes and a growing pension obligation, are complex,” says Canada Post. “This approach provides more time for thoughtful discussion and analysis on how to best address these issues without the ongoing threat of a work disruption.”
MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, said she was pleased that Canada Post and CUPW successfully reached new tentative agreements.
“Each side came to this negotiation with a long history of difficult strikes and lockouts,” she said. “These tentative agreements, reached voluntarily by the parties, are an important reminder for us all that a fair and balanced collective bargaining process works and can achieve real results for Canadian workers and employers.”
“These tentative agreements must now be ratified by employees,” she added. “I will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
