Local postal workers stopped delivering flyers and Neighbourhood Mail this morning as part of an escalating job action, with the local union president stating Canada Post is failing to bargain in good faith.
The move by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers comes as national negotiations near the two-year mark. Kerri Arnott Thirsk, president of Weyburn Local 853, stated that the corporation has shown no urgency in resolving the dispute, leaving workers with no choice but to increase pressure.
"We’ve been left with no choice but to change our strike activity with the hope that Canada Post finally takes us seriously and returns to the bargaining table," Arnott Thirsk stated. "Progress can only be made at the bargaining table. CUPW members want contracts that value our work, and we are ready to negotiate today."
The halt to flyer delivery is a national one that began Monday, replacing a previous ban on overtime work. CUPW National President Jan Simpson said the change was made after Canada Post raised concerns about the impact of the overtime ban, and she hopes it will help secure a deal before the holiday season while minimizing the impact on Canadians.
"Our goal is to get collective agreements that are ratifiable before Christmastime," Simpson said.
Canada Post called the union's latest move a disappointment that will affect thousands of businesses that use the flyer service. In a statement, spokesman Phil Legault said the action increases uncertainty for the business and that the gap between the two sides remains "substantial".
"We encourage CUPW to come back with workable solutions that reflect our current reality and get the parties closer to a resolution," said Legault.
The decision has drawn criticism from business groups. Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, called it "bad news," noting that about 20 per cent of his members use flyers as a low-cost advertising option.
"This inches us closer to an overall strike or lockout, and we are very close to the critical holiday season once again," Kelly said.
The Retail Council of Canada also expressed concern, highlighting that seniors and those in rural communities often rely on flyers to learn about potential savings.
The core of the dispute involves union demands for higher wages and improved working conditions, while the Crown corporation has reported over $5 billion in losses since 2018. A strike and lockout late last year lasted over a month before the federal government ordered an end to the work stoppage.
Arnott Thirsk said that past government interventions have shielded Canada Post and removed the incentive for the corporation to bargain in good faith. "When Canada Post knows the government will shield them, what incentive is there to bargain in good faith?" she asked.