Canada Post Workers Reject Contract Offers, Extend National Labor Impasse

Canada Post workers, represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), have decisively rejected the employer's latest contract offers, with nearly 70% voting against proposals that included about a 13% wage increase over four years and increased part-time staffing. The union demands a 19% wage increase and has maintained a national overtime ban since late May, signaling ongoing labor discontent and stalled negotiations that have lasted over 18 months. Canada Post, facing significant financial losses and a sharp decline in parcel market share, has called for modernizing its business model, including service cuts and revised union agreements, warning it is "on the brink" after eight years without profit. The federal government, through Labour Minister Patty Hajdu, has urged both sides to return to the bargaining table to reach a resolution quickly, while the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has warned that continued labor disruptions could drive small businesses away from Canada Post permanently. Despite calls for back-to-work legislation, labor experts suggest another strike is unlikely in the near term, emphasizing the need for genuine negotiations rather than government-imposed votes. The situation remains tense as Canada Post evaluates its next steps amid ongoing financial challenges and union resistance to proposed contract terms.