Issue 51 – 25, May 18, 2025
Kaplan Report
William Kaplan’s recent ideas and his role in the talks with Canada Post need careful re-thinking. Many of his suggestions are not fair and don’t consider the big picture. This includes the rights of postal workers, how delivery services are changing, and the economic challenges workers face.
Kaplan suggests that Canada Post should be more flexible when hiring workers. He says they should be able to hire part-time workers to deliver parcels on weekends and help during busy times. He also thinks routes should change daily based on how many packages there are. While being flexible can help the company run more smoothly, this could put full-time workers’ jobs at risk. Kaplan claims that part-time jobs should be good, stable jobs—not “gig” jobs like those in the gig economy. But turning jobs into temporary or part-time work make jobs less secure and less good paying. This would hurt the workers who have worked for Canada Post for many years.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is worried and angry. They say that these ideas threaten the quality of jobs and workers’ rights to negotiate better conditions. The union is mainly trying to keep full-time jobs that are stable and secure, especially as the postal industry is changing. They see Kaplan’s suggestions to cut services, outsource work, and reduce workers’ benefits, which they strongly oppose.
Kaplan seems to focus more on making Canada Post more flexible, rather than making sure workers are treated fairly and have good jobs. His view is that the traditional mail business is shrinking and that the future is in parcel delivery and flexible routes. But this overlooks the real problems: simply adding more part-time jobs doesn’t fix these deeper issues. To really fix the industry, Canada Post needs to modernize its services, use new technology, and help workers transition to new roles. Without these steps, Kaplan’s ideas might only offer short-term fixes that don’t last.
His report also forgets how important the postal service is to communities. Postal workers help keep rural and underserved areas connected. If costs are cut and jobs become less secure, services might be reduced, and many vulnerable people could be hurt. Small businesses, seniors, and people living in remote areas rely on affordable postal services. If jobs become less stable and services are cut, it could cause problems for these groups and for the workers themselves, who might see their income become less reliable.
Kaplan’s ideas don’t fully think about the bigger effects on the economy and society. Cutting jobs and services could hurt small businesses and communities. It could also make workers feel insecure about their income and future. His suggestion that the union might have to accept fewer good jobs ignores the fact that workers have rights that shouldn’t be taken away just to make the company more flexible.
Kaplan’s ideas favor the company’s interests over workers’ rights and the needs of the community. To have a strong and fair Canada Post in the future, it’s important to respect workers’ rights, keep jobs secure, and develop new strategies that help both the economy and society. Superficial changes that weaken the service and the workforce are not the answer. Let’s see how Mr. Fixer, Carney, responds to the mess Trudeau and ineffective Minister Mackinnon caused.
Read more - CUPW - 2025-05-16 - No Surprise: Government Ordered Commission Report, Recommends the Vast Majority of Canada Post’s Positions
Congratulations to Stephanie McLean on Her Appointment as Secretary of State for Seniors.
The Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) is proud to extend its heartfelt congratulations to Stephanie McLean on her recent appointment as Secretary of State for Seniors.
Stephanie McLean’s remarkable career is a testament to her dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to public service. Born in Calgary, Alberta, and educated at the University of Calgary’s law school, Ms. McLean’s journey has taken her from the Alberta Legislature as an NDP MLA to the halls of Parliament, where she will now advocate for the needs of older Canadians and seniors across the nation.
Her previous tenure as a member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly, where she made history as the first MLA to give birth while in office, showcased her leadership and capacity to challenge and change longstanding policies. Her efforts to promote family-friendly policies and support for new parents demonstrated her dedication to inclusivity and community well-being.
Her appointment as Secretary of State for Seniors underscores her commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by Canada’s 7.8 million seniors and those approaching retirement.
Supporting older Canadians is vital to the long-term health of our economy and the social fabric of our communities. CURC recognizes the importance of having a dedicated voice at the federal level, and we are confident that Ms. McLean will work diligently to ensure that seniors’ interests are prioritized in government policies and initiatives.
CURC had called on the government to consider reinstating a dedicated Minister of Seniors position at the cabinet table. The appointment of Ms. McLean as Secretary of State for Seniors signifies a positive step toward maintaining focus and advocacy for seniors’ issues within the broader portfolio of Jobs and Families. Her role will be crucial in providing leadership, policy expertise, and a voice for older Canadians.
Once again, congratulations to Stephanie McLean on this well-deserved appointment. We look forward to working with her to promote the well-being, dignity, of Canada’s seniors and to ensure their voices are heard loud and clear in the corridors of power.
CURC 15th Constitutional Convention
The Fifteenth Convention of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada will take place at the Pan Pacific Toronto, 900 York Mills Rd, Toronto, the convention will be held June 17th, to June 19, 2025.
The Convention offers opportunities for networking, learning about new initiatives, and advocating collectively for policies that protect and enhance the union retiree’s quality of life. By participating actively, union retirees can ensure their voices are heard and contribute to strengthening and building the union retiree movement.
We are now counting down with only one month until the start of the convention. Over the next week registered delegates will receive more information on the convention.
Registration to be a delegate to the convention remains open until June 13, 2025. Be a delegate, participate in building the union retirement movement forward.
For more information about the convention please email curc@clcctc.ca .