Members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have rejected proposals that Canada Post says were its final offers.
Those offers had been put to workers in what the union characterized as a “forced vote” after the Canada Industrial Relations Board stepped in at the federal government’s request.
Results published by the CUPW show 69 percent of voting members in each of the rural and urban units rejected Canada Post’s offer.
“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,” the union stated.
Canada Post said it was “disappointed” by the outcome.
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The longer-term consequences for postal services in the North and across the country as a whole are not clear, though the parties are expected to return to bargaining.
“This result does not lessen the urgent need to modernize and protect this vital national service,” Canada Post stated.
“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. We are evaluating our next steps.”
