Despite issues, Kamloops postal workers relieved by new 5-year contract

“I don’t think there will be much change right away,” acting CUPW Local 758 president Aaron Arseneau told CFJC Today, when asked if Kamloops and area residents will notice changes to mail delivery.

“We know Canada Post is going to start rolling out community mailboxes across the country. We’re not on the list of the first cities that will go, but eventually that will probably come to Kamloops. Down the road, there could also be weekend delivery of parcels and things like that from Canada Post.”

The five-year contract includes a nearly 10 per cent wage increase in the first two years. It also locks in hikes that match the annual inflation rate in years three through five, on top of enhanced benefits, but CUPW asked members to reject the contract, arguing it rolls back rights and compensation.

“I don’t think anybody is super ecstatic with the contract itself,” Arseneau added. “I think people are more so – they just needed it to end.”

“We weren’t just up against Canada Post, we’re up against the government and they were playing dirty tricks. We got forced back to work again (and) we might not have been as prepared as we needed to be to fight against both Canada Post and the government and because of that we were put in the situation where it was accept the contract or face further strike action possibly.”

In a statement, Canada Post CEO Doug Ettinger said the new deal – which will remain in effect through to Jan. 31, 2029 – offers stability and a path to “restore confidence in the postal system.”

“While the process was challenging, these negotiated agreements recognize that Canada Post needs to change,” he said.

On Monday, Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound also said the agreement marked a milestone for the Crown corporation.

“This is an important moment for workers, for Canada Post, and for the millions of Canadians and businesses who rely on a stable and reliable postal service every day,” Lightbound added.

About 60 per cent of the union’s board endorsed the proposed collective agreement, saying it ensures job security. However, CUPW president Jan Simpson said in a bulletin to members Monday that “we still have our work cut out for us.”

“To win the fights ahead, prepare for the next round of bargaining and mobilize against the government’s attacks on our public postal service, we all have to regroup and unite in our struggle,” Simpson added.

“People were done,” Arseneau reiterated. “We will have some peace for now but we’ll continue to push against community mailboxes. The struggles will always continue and we’ll push back against unfair practices that we believe the corporation is trying to impose on us.”

– with files from The Canadian Press

by Victor Kaisar

Despite issues, Kamloops postal workers relieved by new 5-year contract

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