Unionized employees at Canada Post are in the final hours of voting on a contentious contract offer that could shape the future of the national mail carrier. The vote, which began on July 21, is scheduled to close at 5 p.m. today, with results expected shortly thereafter.
The proposed agreement includes wage increases totaling approximately 13 per cent over a four-year period. However, the offer has sparked pushback due to the inclusion of more part-time positions—something Canada Post argues is essential for long-term sustainability.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), representing around 55,000 workers, has strongly recommended that members reject the proposal. Should the offer be voted down, the union has committed to immediately re-engaging with management in hopes of restarting negotiations.
However, CUPW warns that a rejected deal could trigger government intervention through back-to-work legislation or binding arbitration. The vote is being overseen by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which took charge following an earlier intervention by federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu.