Postal services will resume on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, Steven MacKinnon, the Federal Minister of Labour and Seniors, announced on X on Monday morning, December 16, 2024.
“The Canada Industrial Relations Board has found that Canada Post and CUPW are unlikely to reach a deal by the end of the year,” Minister MacKinnon stated.
“The Board has therefore ordered an extension of the current collective agreements, and a resumption of operations. An Industrial Inquiry Commission will also be looking into the structural issues of the conflict and will issue a report on May 15. This report will serve as a solid basis for both parties to negotiate their collective agreements.”
Canada Post officials say after two days of hearings, the CIRB has issued its ruling confirming the parties are at an impasse.
“As a result, the CIRB has ordered employees to return to work and postal operations to begin to resume at 8 a.m. local time on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. We will share further details shortly, but want to remind employees and customers that our operations will remain closed on Monday, December 16.”
Canada Post officials added: “Given the timing and duration of the strike, when our operations resume we will need to begin processing the mail and parcels trapped in our network. It will take time to clear our network, so customers should expect delays in processing and delivery.”
Some limitations will apply for the first 48 hours after operations resume, including for pickups and drop-offs, Canada Post officials added.
“Because of this, we will not receive or pick up new product until Thursday, December 19,” Canada Post officials say.
“We’re committed to giving customers as much information as possible regarding specific timelines and capacity. This includes providing details on what to expect during the first few days and as we continue to stabilize operations. Look for more information later today and in the coming days.”
Canada Post said a retroactive pay increase to employees will be implemented as the process unfolds.
“We look forward to welcoming our employees back to work and serving the millions of Canadians and businesses who rely on our services,” Canada Post officials added.
“While the terms of the existing collective agreements will be extended until May 22, 2025, we also put forward an offer to implement a wage increase of five per cent for employees, which was proposed in the company’s last global offer. With both parties in agreement, the wage increase will be retroactive to the day after each collective agreement expired.”
Canada Post officials say the increase will remain in effect going forward, and the retroactive portion will be paid out to current employees in two portions:
– An upfront payment before Christmas of $1,000 for all CUPW-represented regular employees (full-time and part-time) and $500 for temporary employees based on a minimum number of hours.
– The wage increase and retroactive payment will be made no later than January 31, 2025.
“Collective agreements between Canada Post and CUPW expired on December 31, 2023, for the RSMC (Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers) unit and on January 31, 2024, for the urban unit,” Canada Post officials say.
“Our commitment has always been to reach negotiated agreements with CUPW that would help us better serve the changing needs of Canadians and provide good jobs to those who provide the service. We remain committed to doing so within this new process while also meeting the postal needs of Canadians. More details on our start-up plans will be made available at canadapost.ca when finalized.”
As the time of updating this story, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have yet to issue a statement.
CUPW went on a nationwide strike on Friday, November 15 at 12:01 a.m.
We’ll provide more information when it becomes available.
– This story has been updated.
