The labour dispute between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers is over.
CUPW announced Monday that after six weeks of voting, members in both the Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) and the Urban Postal Operations bargaining units had accepted the tentative agreements reached with Canada Post in December.
According to a press release, 85.9 per cent of the RSMC unit voted to accept the deal, while 89 per cent of the Urban unit voted to accept.
The results have not been audited.
“Over the course of this round of bargaining, postal workers have faced enormous challenges,” national president Jan Simpson said in a statement. “It has not been easy, but members have stood strong.”
Simpson said the union still has work to do, and must regroup and unite to “win the fights ahead.”
Canada Post CEO says corporation must and will change
On Canada Post’s side, president and CEO Doug Ettinger said he was pleased CUPW voted to ratify the new agreements.
“With the stability of new agreements in place, we look forward to working with our employees and bargaining agents to rebuild the business, restore confidence in the postal system and better serve the country,” Ettinger said in a statement.
He thanked Canadians and businesses for their patience in the last two years.
“We will work hard to regain your trust,” he said.
Ettinger said the new agreements recognize the need for Canada Post to change.
“The new agreements are critically important as the Corporation moves ahead with its transformation to return to financial sustainability and better meet the modern needs of the country.”
CFIB pleased to see labour peace
The president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said the ratification was welcome news.
“After years of strikes and uncertainty, it is good that Canada Post will have some labour market certainty in the months ahead,” Dan Kelly said in a statement.
“Many small firms still depend on Canada Post as a low-cost way to send marketing material, move money between businesses and send packages to consumers in every community in the country.”
No date has been set for CUPW and Canada Post to sign the agreements.
The agreements will remain in place until Jan. 31, 2029.
