Canada Post employees are on their last day of voting on a new contract proposal from the company. On Monday, July 28, 2025, a worker was seen collecting mail in White Rock, B.C. Meanwhile, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers is urging its members to turn down the offer.
Canada Post is once again at a crossroads after thousands of its workers voted against the latest contract proposal. The union representing postal workers, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), announced on Friday that nearly 70% of both urban and rural members rejected the offer, signalling a growing dissatisfaction within the ranks.
The proposed agreement offered a 13% wage increase spread over four years. However, it also included a clause to bring in more part-time workers — a move Canada Post considers essential to stay operational. This condition sparked major resistance from the union, which believes it threatens job security and undermines fair working conditions.
Union Demands Serious Talks, Rejects Part-Time Push
CUPW had urged its 55,000 members to vote against the proposal, and the overwhelming results made their stance clear. In a strong statement, the union called for Canada Post to return to the negotiation table with a fair offer that reflects workers' needs.
“It’s time for Canada Post to negotiate seriously,” the union stated. “Our members have spoken. A real solution means contracts that can actually be accepted, not imposed.”
Postal workers continue to enforce a national overtime ban, increasing pressure on the Crown corporation.
Canada Post Faces Mounting Financial Losses
In response, Canada Post expressed disappointment but thanked employees for participating in the voting process. The corporation noted that the offer attempted to balance workers’ concerns with the urgent need to fix its ailing business. According to Canada Post, it's currently losing around $10 million per day — a number that underscores the gravity of the situation.
Despite this, the company is now reassessing its next steps following the clear rejection of its proposal.
Government Keeps Watch as Labour Conflict Drags On
This latest chapter in the ongoing standoff follows nearly 18 months of stalled negotiations. The Canada Industrial Relations Board oversaw the vote after Labour Minister Patty Hajdu stepped in earlier this year. Hajdu emphasized that the workers’ voices must be heard and said federal mediators would continue assisting both sides until an agreement is reached.
“We expect a resolution soon,” Hajdu stated, reaffirming that the government is closely monitoring the dispute.
The Roots of the Dispute Go Deep
Canada Post and CUPW have been locked in disagreement since early 2024. Their conflict even led to a strike during last year’s holiday season, which left countless parcels undelivered and offices shuttered. Although workers returned just before Christmas, tensions never fully cooled.
A report from the Industrial Relations Board earlier this year painted a grim picture. Commissioner William Kaplan concluded that Canada Post is financially unstable and proposed sweeping changes to help it survive — including more community mailboxes, fewer door-to-door deliveries, and the addition of part-time workers. He criticized CUPW for clinging to outdated practices that hinder compromise.
Businesses Worry as Uncertainty Grows
Small business leaders are also reacting to the news with concern. Dan Kelly, head of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, called the vote “deeply disappointing,” warning that it could push many companies away from using Canada Post altogether.
“Another strike could be the final straw,” he said. “Two out of three small businesses may never return to Canada Post if service disruptions continue.”
Kelly urged the federal government to extend the current agreement to avoid more disruptions during an already fragile time for small businesses.
