Canada Post workers on Friday rejected the Crown corporation’s latest contract offers after a two-week vote put directly to union members, further delaying a resolution to the longstanding labour dispute.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) said more than two-thirds of its separate rural and urban bargaining units voted against what Canada Post has called its “final” offers.
“This means negotiations between the parties remain unresolved,” Canada Post said in a statement, adding it was “evaluating its next steps.”
“While we are disappointed in the results, we want to thank employees for participating in the process.”
CUPW leaders had urged the roughly 55,000 postal service workers it represents to reject the proposal, saying doing so will force the company back into bargaining.
“Members have now made clear what our negotiators have been telling the employer all along: these offers don’t cut it,” CUPW national president Jan Simpson said in a statement.
Story continues below advertisement
“It’s time for Canada Post to come back to the bargaining table and start seriously negotiating. With these votes behind us, Canada Post must now recognize that the only way forward is to negotiate ratifiable collective agreements that meet postal workers’ needs.”
Get daily National news
Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
Simpson added: “The time for games is over.”
5:58
CUPW urges members to reject Canada Post contract vote
The offer included wage hikes of about 13 per cent over four years but also added part-time workers that Canada Post has said are necessary to keep the postal service afloat. The union has long fought against the use of part-time or contracted workers, arguing savings for the financially struggling company can be found elsewhere.
Trending Now
CBS News investigation claims to find discrepancies in FBI Epstein jail video
Read Carney’s full response to Trump’s 35% tariff on Canada
“This result does not lessen the urgent need to modernize and protect this vital national service,” the company said Friday.
“However, it does mean the uncertainty that has been significantly impacting our business – and the many Canadians and Canadian businesses who depend on Canada Post – will continue.”
Story continues below advertisement
The vote, which opened July 21 and concluded Friday evening, was administered by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which stepped in after federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu intervened in the labour dispute at Canada Post’s behest to order the vote.
The union has said that, should workers reject the offer, it will immediately contact management and invite them to return to the bargaining table. However, it has said further strike or lockout actions could risk the government intervening with back-to-work legislation or a binding arbitration order.
“If the government truly respects unions and collective bargaining, it will keep out,” Simpson said. “No more back to work orders. No more forced votes.”
A national ban on overtime for CUPW members, which began in May amid stalled negotiations, remains ongoing.
—With files from the Canadian Press
More on Canada
More videos
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.