Canada Post Strike: Workers Demand Better Wages, Benefits, and Working Conditions
The nationwide strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has brought Canada Post operations completely to a halt with no mail or parcels being delivered or taken at post offices. With the major demands for significant changes required in wages, benefits, and working conditions Canada Postal Workers started their strike on 15th of November 2024. The union has outlined unresolved issues for both Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) and Urban Operations workers as they push for a fair agreement.
Reasons why Canad Postal workers are under strike against the Crown Corporation
Reason one: Inclusion of Cost of Living into basic wage
CUPW, the ultimate body of workers union is demanding wage increases in line with inflation happening in the country and the need to include the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) payments into the basic wage rate. The COLA payments were not included as basic necessity but given as a bonus for required people which the company would only allow for people who deemed to be necessary. But due to the price hike in housing sector, Union is demanding the housing allowance to be included within the basic wage rather than an added extra to the workers.
Reason Two: Short-Term Disability Program increment
Another major reason or the strike in a demand to raise Short-Term Disability Program (STDP) payments. The Union is demanding a rise from 70% to 80% of wages. Along with that the union is also demanding the need to increase Injury on Duty payments to 88%.
What is Short-Term Disability Program (STDP)
The Short-Term Disability Program (STDP) is a benefit given to workers that provides income support to employees who are temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury. It is equivalent to the Medical Leave pay. This covers a percentage of the employee’s wages for a limited period, allowing them financial stability while recovering. This is to ensure that every Canada Post employee should not suffer in life just because a medical situation has happened. Employers often use STDP to help workers return to their roles without undue stress during their recovery process.
Reason Three: Inclusion of Cost of Living into basic wage
Additionally, the union is seeking to get 10 paid medical days. It should be as such that by keeping the existing 7 personal days, with an option to use unused medical days. Enhancements to group benefit plans, such as better coverage for health specialists, fertility treatments, gender-affirming care, and vision care, are also part of their demands.
Other Major reasons for the Canada Strike
For Rural & Suburban Mail Carrier (RSMC) workers, the union is demanding for job security rights comparable to those in the Urban Operations agreement. They are also asking for hourly pay systems with proper time values and union involvement to safeguard against unilateral changes that might occur. Some other demands are the need for improved provisions for the temporary employees. This including the benefits for those in agreements lasting six months or more.
The Urban Operations Workers demands
Meanwhile, the Urban Operations workers are mainly targeting to achieve demands which are somewhat more technical in nature. they wanted to eliminate the overburdening of workers due to the route length and implement rotations in duties rather than assigning the same painfullest works for same workers. Paid rest periods for shifts longer than five hours are also in demand. They are also asking to fill vacancies on a monthly basis rather than periodic or seasonal or yearly recruitment which overburdens the workers.
The Union is also asking the Canada Post to expand their current services like postal banking and senior wellness checks to meet modern needs while securing workers’ jobs.
The strike was called for not just because of these major issues, but the frustration of workers have grown over long-standing issues and their determination to achieve meaningful changes within the logistics industry.
Source: CUPW
