Postal workers' rejection of latest offer is bad news for small biz, Canada Post: CFIB
Offer rejected by postal workers' union included signing bonuses, four years of wage increases and six new personal days
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OTTAWA — Postal workers’ decision to reject Canada Post’s latest offer is bad news for both small business and the postal service, the CFIB says.
On Tuesday, Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) president Dan Kelly called on the Mark Carney government to take action to avoid another mail strike, saying more is at stake than just a simple labour disruption.
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“Government also needs to immediately give Canada Post the full authority to make the major reforms needed to ensure it is financially sustainable,” Kelly said, a move he understands will likely come with the need to make tough decisions, including more back-to-work orders.
“CFIB is calling on all political parties to support the reforms suggested in the Industrial Inquiry report to allow this important service to continue for the long term.”
Voting on Canada Post’s latest contract proposal ended Aug. 1, with its 53,000 members voting to reject an offer that included signing bonuses, four years of wage increases and six new personal days.
Last year’s month-long Canada Post strike, held during the important Christmas holiday shopping season, was halted Dec. 17 after the government ordered the striking workers back to work.
A strike was to have resumed in May, but the union conceded and banned its members from working overtime.
Last month, the CFIB said two out of three Canadian small businesses — among the remaining big sources of business for the ailing postal service — would stop using Canada Post entirely if postal workers walk the picket lines again.
Thirteen per cent of Canadian small business resolved to stop using Canada Post during the 2024 strike — which cost small businesses upwards of $100 million per day.
Canada Post reported operating losses upwards of $1.3 billion in 2024, with revenues falling by $800 million compared to 2023.
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