Canada Post union says labour talks to resume after Air Canada strike ends
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) on Tuesday said the tentative agreement reached between Air Canada and its flight attendants following a days-long strike had shown 'what can be achieved when workers stand united' and created new momentum for the upcoming talks.
'CUPE's win proves that when workers are free to bargain collectively, real progress is possible,' CUPW national president Jan Simpson said in a statement, referring to the Canadian Union of Public Employees' Air Canada component.
'The government must stop interfering with collective bargaining and allow postal workers, Air Canada workers, and all unions to reach fair agreements at the table.'
A Canada Post spokesperson confirmed in an email to Global News that the company will be meeting with CUPW on Wednesday.
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Talks between CUPW and Canada Post were originally set to restart last week, following months of on-and-off negotiations toward a new labour agreement.
However, Canada Post then said federal mediators were unavailable for the planned negotiations and talks had been rescheduled for Aug. 20.
CUPW said last week that the mediators were unavailable 'due to their current involvement in the Air Canada negotiations.'
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Air Canada flight attendants went on strike Saturday, and stayed on the picket lines even after the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) declared the strike 'unlawful' and ordered operations to resume.
1:01
Labour showdowns at Air Canada & Canada Post
A tentative agreement was reached early Tuesday morning amid increasing pressure from the federal government and the public to reach a deal and end the strike, which had led to hundreds of flight cancellations.
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'Both Air Canada workers and postal workers know that when one group of workers is pushed down, it drags everyone down, but when we stand together, we lift everyone up,' Simpson said Tuesday.
'We are fighting parallel battles. Our struggles are connected, and our victories will be shared.'
CUPW members rejected Canada Post's 'best and final offers' early this month after a two-week vote administered by the CIRB.
The union has been calling on Canada Post to restart negotiations ever since, and Wednesday's talks will mark the first sit-down between the parties following the vote.
Canada Post's most recent proposal that was voted on included wage hikes of about 13 per cent over four years and restructuring to add part-time workers to the deal.
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Canada Post workers reject 'final' contract offers after vote
The union has long fought against use of contracted or part-time workers, arguing savings can be found elsewhere.
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Canada Post has repeatedly said it is facing an 'existential crisis' and financial strain amid declining letter and parcel volumes, making it difficult to meet the union's demands on wages and other issues.
'While negotiations remain unresolved, there remains an urgent need to modernize Canada Post and protect this vital national service for Canadians,' the Crown corporation said last week.
An Industrial Inquiry Commission report from Commissioner William Kaplan earlier this year declared the postal service is effectively bankrupt and needs substantial reforms to remain afloat.
Negotiations between the two parties for a new collective agreement have been ongoing for more than a year and a half.
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Vancouver Sun
an hour ago
- Vancouver Sun
Two proposed class actions seek compensation for travellers hurt by Air Canada strike
Two proposed class-action lawsuits have been filed in the Quebec Superior Court in the wake of the Air Canada strike. The aim of both lawsuits is to recoup compensation for the harms suffered by Air Canada passengers affected by flight disruptions that occurred around Thursday, Aug.14. The first takes aim at Air Canada. The second targets Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents the airline's 10,000 flight attendants. Courts must certify a proposed lawsuit as a class action before it can apply beyond the representative plaintiff named in the suit. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The first action alleges Air Canada failed to re-book passengers within 48 hours and instead misled customers by offering refunds as credits or by re-booking them on much later flights, contrary to federal air passenger protection rules. The proposed class of plaintiffs includes all passengers worldwide whose travel plans were adversely affected. The second proposed class action, filed by a different Montreal law firm, also names CUPE, claiming the union illegally continued its strike beyond the point it was ordered back to work, causing further grief for affected passengers. Filed in the Quebec Superior Court, the statement of claim alleges the airline 'misled their customers' and provided them with inaccurate information in order to convince them to accept a refund (which was to be given as a credit towards future travel), instead of informing them of the airline's legal obligations under Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR). According to the claim, the representative plaintiff bought a ticket from Montreal to Grenada. It was scheduled to depart on Aug. 17. However, Air Canada issued a 72-hour lockout notice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, notifying customers it would begin cancelling flights on Thursday and Friday, with a complete halt on Saturday, ahead of the anticipated strike. The plaintiff was notified about her cancelled flight on Saturday, Aug. 16, via email. 'We're searching for re-booking options on more than 120 carriers for up to three days after your cancelled flight,' reads the Air Canada email, obtained by the law firm. 'This may take some time. If you don't want to wait and you prefer to search options yourself or cancel your booking to receive a refund, please use the button below.' LPC Avocat Inc. argues in the claim that the email 'contain(ed) false and misleading information,' implying that Air Canada was allowed to book people up to three days after a cancelled flight. 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The claim argues Air Canada contravened the APPR by rebooking her 86 hours after her cancelled flight, rather than the legally required 48. And it also failed to reserve a ticket on the next available flight operated by any carrier. (The claim argues there were flights available with other airlines on Aug. 17, 18 and 19.) The proposed class members include any person around the world whose travel plans since Aug. 14, 2025, were affected by the Air Canada strike and were not provided a reservation for the 'next available flight' or 'alternate travel arrangements' as required by law. To stay informed about developments in the case, the firm has provided a sign-up page . A second lawsuit, filed by Lambert Avocats , targets CUPE. It alleges the union illegally continued its strike after the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered the attendants back to work. It argues CUPE's defiance prolonged the shutdown and forced passengers to absorb extra costs for hotel rooms, meals during unexpected layovers and replacement flights. The claimant, who had booked a family holiday in Cancún, said the trip collapsed when crews stayed off the job despite the federal order. The union has not yet filed a defence to the claim. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
an hour ago
- Edmonton Journal
Two proposed class actions seek compensation for travellers hurt by Air Canada strike
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National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Two proposed class actions seek compensation for travellers hurt by Air Canada strike
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The proposed class of plaintiffs in the first lawsuit includes all passengers worldwide whose travel plans were adversely affected An Air Canada flight attendant walks through the terminal at Pierre-Elliott Trudeau Airport in Montreal on Aug. 19, when flights were slated to resume. Photo by ANDREJ IVANOV / AFP via Getty Images Two proposed class-action lawsuits have been filed in the Quebec Superior Court in the wake of the Air Canada strike. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. 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 The aim of both lawsuits is to recoup compensation for the harms suffered by Air Canada passengers affected by flight disruptions that occurred around Thursday, Aug.14. The first takes aim at Air Canada. The second targets Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents the airline's 10,000 flight attendants. Courts must certify a proposed lawsuit as a class action before it can apply beyond the representative plaintiff named in the suit. Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again The first action alleges Air Canada failed to re-book passengers within 48 hours and instead misled customers by offering refunds as credits or by re-booking them on much later flights, contrary to federal air passenger protection rules. The proposed class of plaintiffs includes all passengers worldwide whose travel plans were adversely affected. The second proposed class action, filed by a different Montreal law firm, also names CUPE, claiming the union illegally continued its strike beyond the point it was ordered back to work, causing further grief for affected passengers. Filed in the Quebec Superior Court, the statement of claim alleges the airline 'misled their customers' and provided them with inaccurate information in order to convince them to accept a refund (which was to be given as a credit towards future travel), instead of informing them of the airline's legal obligations under Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR). According to the claim, the representative plaintiff bought a ticket from Montreal to Grenada. It was scheduled to depart on Aug. 17. However, Air Canada issued a 72-hour lockout notice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, notifying customers it would begin cancelling flights on Thursday and Friday, with a complete halt on Saturday, ahead of the anticipated strike. The plaintiff was notified about her cancelled flight on Saturday, Aug. 16, via email. 'We're searching for re-booking options on more than 120 carriers for up to three days after your cancelled flight,' reads the Air Canada email, obtained by the law firm. 'This may take some time. If you don't want to wait and you prefer to search options yourself or cancel your booking to receive a refund, please use the button below.' LPC Avocat Inc. argues in the claim that the email 'contain(ed) false and misleading information,' implying that Air Canada was allowed to book people up to three days after a cancelled flight. This advertisement has not loaded yet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Even when a delay or cancellation is outside the airline's control, contends the claim, it has a legal obligation to provide the passenger with free re-booking on the next available flight, operated by any carrier on any reasonable route, from the airport where the passenger is located, or at another airport within a reasonable distance. LPC Avocat Inc. also argues Air Canada did not inform customers that in lieu of booking within 48 hours, as legally required under the APPR, it would need to refund any unused portion of the ticket. After several hours of not hearing from Air Canada, the plaintiff booked a new flight with American Airlines on Aug. 16. However, shortly thereafter, she received an email from Air Canada saying it had re-booked her on a Caribbean Airlines flight leaving on Wednesday, Aug. 20, with multiple stopovers, and arriving in Grenada on Aug. 21. The claim argues Air Canada contravened the APPR by rebooking her 86 hours after her cancelled flight, rather than the legally required 48. And it also failed to reserve a ticket on the next available flight operated by any carrier. (The claim argues there were flights available with other airlines on Aug. 17, 18 and 19.) The proposed class members include any person around the world whose travel plans since Aug. 14, 2025, were affected by the Air Canada strike and were not provided a reservation for the 'next available flight' or 'alternate travel arrangements' as required by law. To stay informed about developments in the case, the firm has provided a sign-up page. A second lawsuit, filed by Lambert Avocats, targets CUPE. It alleges the union illegally continued its strike after the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered the attendants back to work. It argues CUPE's defiance prolonged the shutdown and forced passengers to absorb extra costs for hotel rooms, meals during unexpected layovers and replacement flights. The claimant, who had booked a family holiday in Cancún, said the trip collapsed when crews stayed off the job despite the federal order. The union has not yet filed a defence to the claim. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
