Protocol for PSAC members in event of encountering a picket line at Canada Post

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is currently in a difficult round of bargaining with Canada Post. After nearly a year of negotiations and despite the Union’s efforts to resolve key issues, the parties are still far apart.

On November 12, 2024, CUPW issued strike notice, and the union will be a legal strike position as of Friday, November 15 if no agreement is achieved by that time. Currently, it remains unclear if CUPW members will walk off the job on Friday. However, negotiations between the parties are ongoing. 

Should CUPW pickets go up, PSAC members are not in a legal strike position and must continue to report for duty. PSAC members are encouraged to support CUPW in their efforts for a fair collective agreement by participating on picket lines (on breaks or before/after shifts) and sending messages of support.

For our members who work at Canada Post, or work in buildings alongside CUPW members, a strike protocol has been developed. PSAC and CUPW have agreed to the following:

  • PSAC members will not be impeded from accessing their workplaces in areas where CUPW has established picket lines.
  • PSAC will counsel its members assigned to work at picketed sites to consider the viability of refusing unsafe work and to contact their supervisor and union representative rather than cross the line.
  • CUPW picket captains/coordinators will specify the entry points for PSAC members to report to work. Members will identify themselves and their union to the designated CUPW representative.
  • PSAC will encourage its members to express solidarity with CUPW by joining picket lines before or after their shifts and participating in other supportive initiatives as determined by local leadership from both unions.
  • The national offices of both PSAC and CUPW will ensure this protocol is distributed to all local affiliates.

In the past, PSAC and CUPW have always supported each other in order to achieve fair collective agreements and we expect that all PSAC members will continue to show our solidarity in this current situation.

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