WORK. The Quebec/Chaudière-Appalaches section of the Union of Postal Workers (STTP) has 1,300 members. On strike since November 15, they returned to work by force on December 17, following an order from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB).
This decision, which affects 55,000 employees from coast to coast, will be in effect until May 22, 2025. After this date, a return to strike remains possible in the event of an impasse between the parties. The collective agreements expired on December 31, 2023 for the Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (FFRS) unit and on January 31, 2024 within the urban unit.
“They want to impose new collective agreements on us, instead of arriving at a negotiated agreement. […] I want to believe that we didn’t do all this for nothing. We had the support of a good part of the population,” says Stéphane Genest, president of the Quebec/Chaudière-Appalaches section of CUPW.
Despite the size of the territory, it visited several strikers’ points during the conflict. “I was on the ground at the post offices in Saint-Georges and Sainte-Marie. The Beaucerons represent proud fighters for workers’ rights,” says Mr. Genest.
Points in dispute
CUPW proposed salary increases of 19% over four years, including 9% in the first year. Canada Post offered increases of 11.5% for the same period. Leave and benefits, as well as plans to diversify services, were also at the heart of the dispute.
“We had made proposals to make Canada Post more profitable, such as the seniors watch service and online commerce. […] We are aware of the decline in letters and the increase in parcels. We are open to delivery seven days a week, but not in the way that the employer would like,” says Stéphane Genest.
According to him, customers will return home after using private postal services in recent weeks. “Our members offer local service, in all regions, at competitive prices. We are an essential service to the communities,” concludes Mr. Genest, adding that it will take time to send all the accumulated shipments.
