When workers are only a tool for business
For those of us concerned about the Canada Post labour dispute, May 15 was an important day. It was the day we received the recommendations of the industrial inquiry headed by commissioner William Kaplan.
The inquiry was intended to provide an impartial analysis that might smooth over seemingly irreconcilable differences between the postal union and corporation.
Even though I have written in these pages about labour disputes before, I have been reluctant to address this one in particular. That is because I am an active member of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. I am a touch uneasy about using this platform to argue a stance which might benefit me directly, and on matters in which I have an obvious bias. I am also not an official spokesperson of the union, and do not want to be perceived as speaking for them.
So even though the Kaplan Inquiry deserves a thorough dissection and critical analysis, I am not going to provide that here. I do not feel it is my place to address specific grievances between my union and employer.
However, there is one particular statement in the commissioner's report that caught my eye which I think it would be appropriate to discuss. Because it is not something unique to this inquiry or labour dispute.
It is a philosophical underpinning of our entire society which I think needs to be pushed into the spotlight.
'…Canada Post does not exist to provide CUPW members with employment. It exists for one reason: to deliver letter mail and parcels to the people of Canada.'
This is one of the declarations made in the Kaplan Inquiry, and it astonishes me that the commissioner would so bluntly say the quiet part out loud like this.
After all, it is one of the great myths of capitalism that the employer/employee relationship is a matter of two free and equal parties entering into a mutually beneficial partnership. The two parties strike a cost/benefit analysis between them and if either party doesn't approve of the conditions of the partnership, they are free to end it and move on with their lives.
It's the kind of Econ 101 drivel that capitalist apologists love to trot out, but doesn't hold up to the slightest scrutiny when one considers social realities or power dynamics relative to the employer/employee relationship. Especially when the employer happens to be a large corporation and the employee is living paycheque to paycheque with a scant social safety net to rely upon.
As with most Econ 101 truisms that many libertarians wallow in, it is the kind of oversimplification one needs to unlearn to proceed to more advanced economic analysis.
The truth of that matter is that the corporate and political spheres have long understood the truth which Kaplan lays out. That labour is not viewed as an equal party in the relationship with their employer at all. That the primary function of the business is the service it provides, and the workers are merely an expense.
An externality to be reluctantly dealt with.
But when meaningful employment for labourers is reduced to a secondary concern, what we are left with is a form of neofeudalism, where the serfs toil only at the pleasure and need of their lords.
History has shown us what happens when we reduce the labouring class to their function of service. When we fail to treat them as equal partners. When we refuse to acknowledge the social utility of providing meaningful and appropriately compensated employment.
It is not a tenable philosophy to operate a society under, and it has an ugly end.
The employee/employer relationship is supposed to be an equilibrium of cost and benefit.
Not only to the parties involved, but to society itself.
Because there is no service industry without a robustly employed consumer base to purchase such things. The assertion that the function of service itself supersedes the value of providing employment speaks of a deep bias towards the corporate class.
It precludes the possibility of viewing labour as an equal party in disputes between employees and employers.
This is an attitude which needs to be discarded if we expect the labouring class to feel like a duly considered part of this society.
And how can we expect to reconcile such disputes in an environment which elevates one party above the other?
Alex Passey is a Winnipeg author.
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Toronto Sun
32 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
After unionized Canada Post workers reject 'final offers,' what happens next?
Published Aug 05, 2025 • 4 minute read Canada Post vehicles are seen at the its distribution centre in Montreal on May 23, 2025. Photo by Pierre Obendrauf / MONTREAL GAZETTE OTTAWA — Labour experts say another postal service strike is unlikely after unionized Canada Post workers rejected their employer's latest round of offers in a forced vote and the parties mull their next steps. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said Friday that the roughly 55,000 members represented by the union shot down the Canada Post's latest proposal, which would've seen wage hikes of about 13 per cent over four years and restructuring to add part-time workers to the deal. Some 68.5 per cent of urban mail carriers who voted were against the deal, while their rural and suburban colleagues were 69.4 per cent against. Adam King, assistant professor in the labour studies program at the University of Manitoba, said the forced ratification vote ordered by the federal government and administered by the Canada Industrial Relations Board was a 'distraction.' 'Hopefully, at the end of the day, we see an agreement reached at the table — where it should have been in the beginning,' he said in an interview. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Canada Post management is really going to have to put something on the table that the union actually thinks members will accept.' Negotiations for a new collective agreement have been ongoing for more than a year and a half. The federal government asked CIRB to step in and scuttle a holiday season postal strike late last year, but the parties remain at an impasse. The Crown corporation requested Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu send its most recent proposals from late May — calling them the 'final offers' — to a forced vote from workers. Canada Post said in a statement Friday that it was 'disappointed' in the vote results and that it was weighing its next steps. CUPW said in a bulletin to members last week that its negotiators are ready to head back to the bargaining table. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A national ban on overtime work, in place since CUPW entered a strike position in late May, will continue in the meantime. King acknowledged that while the vote didn't go in Canada Post's favour, it wasn't a 'resounding' rejection, with more than 30 per cent of voters coming out in favour of the deals as presented. Larry Savage, professor in the department of labour studies at Brock University, said that apparent division in the ranks of CUPW would make it difficult to get members on a picket line. 'Even if you could effectively organize a strike, it's not obvious to me that it would produce the results the union's looking for,' Savage said in an interview. Before Hajdu sent Canada Post's offers to a vote, she had asked the parties to come to terms for binding arbitration to put an end to the dispute. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. CUPW was broadly in favour of sending talks to arbitration but Canada Post pushed back, arguing it would tie negotiations up in a lengthy process. Canada Post has warned that uncertainty around the fate of contract talks continues to cost the struggling postal service millions of dollars in business each day as customers shift to competitors. The Crown corporation's financial woes have been well-documented throughout the talks. An Industrial Inquiry Commission report from Commissioner William Kaplan earlier this year found the postal service was effectively bankrupt and needed substantial reforms to remain afloat. But King said arbitrators tend to be 'conservative' in bringing parties to a middle ground and are unlikely to make the kinds of sweeping, structural changes Canada Post is looking for in a new deal. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Savage agreed that 'binding arbitration is not actually a long-term solution to the problems at Canada Post.' 'I think that management's forced final vote was a gamble and it blew up in their faces, but they still hold cards,' he said. Canada Post could unilaterally impose new contract terms and 'dare the union to strike,' Savage said, or could start laying off workers as its business falters. 'Both of those strategies would put tremendous pressure on the union to reach an agreement,' he said. 'The danger, of course, for Canada Post is that its aggressive tactics thus far have seemingly only driven the parties further apart.' Hajdu said in a statement Friday that the federal government expects the parties to get back to the negotiating table and find a resolution 'as soon as possible.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Given the financial struggles mentioned in the report, Savage said he expects the federal government will look to restructure Canada Post's mandate after the current labour dispute wraps up. That could see, as suggested in Kaplan's report, a further expansion of community mailboxes or an end to daily door-to-door delivery. In that context, Savage said the negotiations are less about which side wins the day and more about 'who will survive long-term.' 'There is a storm brewing for both Canada Post's management and the union. And I think that getting over this hump is important, but I think that it pales in comparison to what's coming,' he said. Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Relationships Opinion Columnists
Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
Canada Post workers rejected ‘final' contract offers. What happens next?
Labour experts say another postal service strike is unlikely after unionized Canada Post workers rejected their employer's latest round of offers in a forced vote and the parties mull their next steps. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said Friday that the roughly 55,000 members represented by the union shot down the Canada Post's latest proposal, which would've seen wage hikes of about 13 per cent over four years and restructuring to add part-time workers to the deal. Some 68.5 per cent of urban mail carriers who voted were against the deal, while their rural and suburban colleagues were 69.4 per cent against. Adam King, assistant professor in the labour studies program at the University of Manitoba, said the forced ratification vote ordered by the federal government and administered by the Canada Industrial Relations Board was a 'distraction.' Story continues below advertisement 'Hopefully, at the end of the day, we see an agreement reached at the table — where it should have been in the beginning,' he said in an interview. 'Canada Post management is really going to have to put something on the table that the union actually thinks members will accept.' 1:52 Canada Post workers start voting on job offer Negotiations for a new collective agreement have been ongoing for more than a year and a half. The federal government asked CIRB to step in and scuttle a holiday season postal strike late last year, but the parties remain at an impasse. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Crown corporation requested Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu send its most recent proposals from late May — calling them the 'final offers' — to a forced vote from workers. Canada Post said in a statement Friday that it was 'disappointed' in the vote results and that it was weighing its next steps. Story continues below advertisement CUPW said in a bulletin to members last week that its negotiators are ready to head back to the bargaining table. A national ban on overtime work, in place since CUPW entered a strike position in late May, will continue in the meantime. King acknowledged that while the vote didn't go in Canada Post's favour, it wasn't a 'resounding' rejection, with more than 30 per cent of voters coming out in favour of the deals as presented. Larry Savage, professor in the department of labour studies at Brock University, said that apparent division in the ranks of CUPW would make it difficult to get members on a picket line. 'Even if you could effectively organize a strike, it's not obvious to me that it would produce the results the union's looking for,' Savage said in an interview. Before Hajdu sent Canada Post's offers to a vote, she had asked the parties to come to terms for binding arbitration to put an end to the dispute. CUPW was broadly in favour of sending talks to arbitration but Canada Post pushed back, arguing it would tie negotiations up in a lengthy process. 5:58 CUPW urges members to reject Canada Post contract vote Canada Post has warned that uncertainty around the fate of contract talks continues to cost the struggling postal service millions of dollars in business each day as customers shift to competitors. Story continues below advertisement The Crown corporation's financial woes have been well-documented throughout the talks. An Industrial Inquiry Commission report from Commissioner William Kaplan earlier this year found the postal service was effectively bankrupt and needed substantial reforms to remain afloat. But King said arbitrators tend to be 'conservative' in bringing parties to a middle ground and are unlikely to make the kinds of sweeping, structural changes Canada Post is looking for in a new deal. Savage agreed that 'binding arbitration is not actually a long-term solution to the problems at Canada Post.' 'I think that management's forced final vote was a gamble and it blew up in their faces, but they still hold cards,' he said. Canada Post could unilaterally impose new contract terms and 'dare the union to strike,' Savage said, or could start laying off workers as its business falters. 'Both of those strategies would put tremendous pressure on the union to reach an agreement,' he said. 'The danger, of course, for Canada Post is that its aggressive tactics thus far have seemingly only driven the parties further apart.' Hajdu said in a statement Friday that the federal government expects the parties to get back to the negotiating table and find a resolution 'as soon as possible.' Story continues below advertisement Given the financial struggles mentioned in the report, Savage said he expects the federal government will look to restructure Canada Post's mandate after the current labour dispute wraps up. That could see, as suggested in Kaplan's report, a further expansion of community mailboxes or an end to daily door-to-door delivery. In that context, Savage said the negotiations are less about which side wins the day and more about 'who will survive long-term.' 'There is a storm brewing for both Canada Post's management and the union. And I think that getting over this hump is important, but I think that it pales in comparison to what's coming,' he said.
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
After unionized Canada Post workers reject ‘final offers,' what happens next?
A Canada Post employee prepares to check a street letter box while delivering mail, in White Rock, B.C., on Monday, July 28, 2025. Unionized workers at Canada Post rejected the Crown corporatin's latest offers in a forced ratification vote. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck OTTAWA — Labour experts say another postal service strike is unlikely after unionized Canada Post workers rejected their employer's latest round of offers in a forced vote and the parties mull their next steps. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said Friday that the roughly 55,000 members represented by the union shot down the Canada Post's latest proposal, which would've seen wage hikes of about 13 per cent over four years and restructuring to add part-time workers to the deal. Some 68.5 per cent of urban mail carriers who voted were against the deal, while their rural and suburban colleagues were 69.4 per cent against. Adam King, assistant professor in the labour studies program at the University of Manitoba, said the forced ratification vote ordered by the federal government and administered by the Canada Industrial Relations Board was a 'distraction.' 'Hopefully, at the end of the day, we see an agreement reached at the table — where it should have been in the beginning,' he said in an interview. 'Canada Post management is really going to have to put something on the table that the union actually thinks members will accept.' Negotiations for a new collective agreement have been ongoing for more than a year and a half. The federal government asked CIRB to step in and scuttle a holiday season postal strike late last year, but the parties remain at an impasse. The Crown corporation requested Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu send its most recent proposals from late May — calling them the 'final offers' — to a forced vote from workers. Canada Post said in a statement Friday that it was 'disappointed' in the vote results and that it was weighing its next steps. CUPW said in a bulletin to members last week that its negotiators are ready to head back to the bargaining table. A national ban on overtime work, in place since CUPW entered a strike position in late May, will continue in the meantime. King acknowledged that while the vote didn't go in Canada Post's favour, it wasn't a 'resounding' rejection, with more than 30 per cent of voters coming out in favour of the deals as presented. Larry Savage, professor in the department of labour studies at Brock University, said that apparent division in the ranks of CUPW would make it difficult to get members on a picket line. 'Even if you could effectively organize a strike, it's not obvious to me that it would produce the results the union's looking for,' Savage said in an interview. Before Hajdu sent Canada Post's offers to a vote, she had asked the parties to come to terms for binding arbitration to put an end to the dispute. CUPW was broadly in favour of sending talks to arbitration but Canada Post pushed back, arguing it would tie negotiations up in a lengthy process. Canada Post has warned that uncertainty around the fate of contract talks continues to cost the struggling postal service millions of dollars in business each day as customers shift to competitors. The Crown corporation's financial woes have been well-documented throughout the talks. An Industrial Inquiry Commission report from Commissioner William Kaplan earlier this year found the postal service was effectively bankrupt and needed substantial reforms to remain afloat. But King said arbitrators tend to be 'conservative' in bringing parties to a middle ground and are unlikely to make the kinds of sweeping, structural changes Canada Post is looking for in a new deal. Savage agreed that 'binding arbitration is not actually a long-term solution to the problems at Canada Post.' 'I think that management's forced final vote was a gamble and it blew up in their faces, but they still hold cards,' he said. Canada Post could unilaterally impose new contract terms and 'dare the union to strike,' Savage said, or could start laying off workers as its business falters. 'Both of those strategies would put tremendous pressure on the union to reach an agreement,' he said. 'The danger, of course, for Canada Post is that its aggressive tactics thus far have seemingly only driven the parties further apart.' Hajdu said in a statement Friday that the federal government expects the parties to get back to the negotiating table and find a resolution 'as soon as possible.' Given the financial struggles mentioned in the report, Savage said he expects the federal government will look to restructure Canada Post's mandate after the current labour dispute wraps up. That could see, as suggested in Kaplan's report, a further expansion of community mailboxes or an end to daily door-to-door delivery. In that context, Savage said the negotiations are less about which side wins the day and more about 'who will survive long-term.' 'There is a storm brewing for both Canada Post's management and the union. And I think that getting over this hump is important, but I think that it pales in comparison to what's coming,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2025. Craig Lord, The Canadian Press
