Recently, CUPE members from the Air Canada Component demonstrated remarkable solidarity and resilience by standing up to federal interference in their bargaining process. By challenging the government’s use of Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, they successfully forced the employer back to the table and reached a tentative agreement. This victory is a powerful reminder that our right to free collective bargaining is protected under the Charter – and must be respected.
But this fight is far from over.
Our Sisters and Brothers in the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) are facing a similar struggle. CUPW members in both urban and rural/suburban units have overwhelmingly rejected Canada Post’s final offer. Despite CUPW’s efforts to re-engage in meaningful negotiations – including a direct invitation to CEO Doug Ettinger on August 6 – Canada Post has responded not with cooperation, but with further attacks on services and working conditions.
This pattern of employer aggression, backed by federal interference, is unacceptable. Just as CUPE members at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge stood firm, we must continue to stand with CUPW to demand fair treatment and respect for their bargaining rights.
Here’s how you can help:
- Write letters of support for postal workers. These letters should call on Canada Post to negotiate fairly and urge the federal government to stop interfering in the bargaining process, specifically to commit to no more back-to-work legislation or imposed votes.
- Amplify public support: Post the attached “Negotiate Now” poster in both English and French across your social media platforms.
- Continue to call out government interference: Actively denounce the federal Liberal government’s blatant interference in the collective bargaining process, interference that has repeatedly favoured the employer. We urge you to raise this issue prominently during union meetings.