Issue – 26, October 5th, 2025
The Struggle Continues for CUPW
Over a week ago the Canadian government made a big announcement about Canada Post that has upset postal workers and many people across the country. The Minister responsible for Canada Post, Joël Lightbound, shared changes that are part of a long fight between the government, Canada Post, and postal workers. This fight is about more than just wages and working conditions. It’s about protecting the public postal service that millions of Canadians rely on every day.
The government announced what Harper Conservatives tried to let Canada Post do ten years ago. The plan is to cut services for the public. Now, more than ever, we need to come together to defend our postal system, save jobs, and protect services that help Canadians stay connected.
Since bargaining started almost two years ago, postal workers, union members, and supporters have been fighting to keep the post office strong.
In Ottawa, local union members gathered in front of the Prime Minister’s office to show their support.
Other groups picketed outside Members of Parliament's offices and supported the picket lines.
People are encouraged to send letters to their MPs, telling them to support fair negotiations and stop the cuts to Canada Post. They also want the government to expand services instead of shrinking them, which could bring in more money.
On Friday, Canada Post finally presented its latest offers to union negotiators. Many thought Canada Post would come back with fairer offers after waiting 45 days. Instead, the new offers are worse than the ones they rejected in August. Canada Post is clearly wasting time and not serious about reaching an agreement.
These new proposals remove job security, limit restructuring options, and include straight job cuts. This isn’t bargaining — it’s a setback. The government and Canada Post say they want quick agreements, but their offers show they are not listening. Postal workers want fair, stable contracts that protect their jobs and the services Canadians depend on. Instead, Canada Post seems to want workers to pay for the financial problems it created and to turn the public against postal workers.
Union representatives are now carefully reviewing the 500-plus pages of the latest offers to understand what’s really being proposed.
The Right to Public Consultation:
Canada Post is owned by the people of Canada. As owners, Canadians should have a say in any big changes. When the government makes sweeping decisions without consulting the public, communities can lose their postal services without any voice in the matter. Public consultation is important to make sure services stay strong and community needs are met.
The Right to Good Public Services:
People often don’t realize how important Canada Post is until there’s a strike or service disruption. Canada Post keeps people connected, delivers packages, and provides essential services. When services are cut, inequality grows, and many Canadians suffer. Postal workers are fighting to keep services reliable, affordable, and even to add new ones. Unlike private companies, which only deliver where they can make a profit, Canada Post works to serve all communities, big or small.
The Right to Fair Collective Bargaining:
Collective bargaining is a basic right in a democracy. It allows workers to have a say in their work conditions. During this bargaining process, postal workers have faced many challenges. The government has intervened with orders that limit their right to strike and has favored the employer in negotiations. Now, the government plans to weaken the public post office even more.
These actions threaten the rights of postal workers and could lead to more cuts, insecure jobs, and fewer protections for workers everywhere. Postal workers are standing up for their rights and for the services that millions of Canadians depend on. The fight isn’t over — it’s about protecting our right to good jobs and good public services for everyone. See you on the picket line.
Act - CUPW - 2025-09-26 - Take Action: Stop the Attack on Canada Post!
Read more - Delivering Community Power
Home Care in Ontario for 2023
In 2023, the Active Retired Members (ARM) council of OSSTF/FEESO did a survey about home care services in Ontario. They asked 175 members, both those who work and those who are retired. Most people (60.3%) were retired, and many had used home care services for family members like parents or spouses.
The survey found that many people had to pay out of their own pockets for home care. Home care services are now managed by a government agency called Ontario Health at Home, which gets a lot of money from the government to help thousands of people.
People mainly used home care to stay at home and to get help because they were aging or couldn’t care for themselves. The services include help from nurses and support workers with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, cooking, and cleaning.
However, there are many problems. Many people don’t get enough hours of care, and waiting times for services can be very long—sometimes over 12 weeks. Support workers are often overworked, and care is not always consistent. Some support workers don’t arrive on time or don’t show up, and there are concerns about their training and experience.
Another issue is that many families and unpaid caregivers feel stressed because they don’t get enough support. There are also worries about the increasing role of private companies, which might prioritize profits over good care.
The government has made many changes to how home care is organized, but critics say these changes haven’t fixed the main problems. They worry that the system is becoming less transparent and more privatized, which could make care worse for many people.
Overall, the survey shows that while home care is very important, many people face difficulties getting the care they need. More funding, better staffing, and stricter rules are needed to improve the system for everyone.
Read more - ARM Home Care in Ontario Report 2025.pdf
World Day for Decent Work
This October 7th is theWorld Day for Decent Work , the CLC and the ITUC has a clear message: working people demand democracy that delivers for all, not just for the wealthy few. Clickhere to join our webinar on the day, For Democracy that Delivers Social Justice and Prosperity for All. Urgent action is needed to stop the corporate capture of public policy, as demonstrated in the ITUC reportCorporate Underminers of Democracy 2025, which exposed the corporation's fuelling militarism, far-right politics and the assault on democracy.