Canada Post Workers Set to Strike Friday Unless Agreement Is Reached

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has handed strike notices to Canada Post for both the urban and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers bargaining units, announced on Monday.

Canada Post says The potential for another strike comes at a critical moment for the postal system. Since 2018, the Corporation has recorded more than $3 billion in losses before tax and it will post another significant loss for 2024. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

CUPW’s notice says they intend to begin strike activity on Friday noon barring an agreement from both parties. Canada Post’s operations continue as usual until there is a possible strike.

CUPW has released the following statement:

“We can confirm that a 72-hour strike notice has been issued. This step was taken in part to respond to the employer's recent indication that it may unilaterally change working conditions and suspend employee benefits.

This step was also taken to facilitate the continuation of our right to strike that was put on pause by the CIRB in December 2024. There is still time to return to the bargaining table. We remain committed to negotiating collective agreements and urge the employer to do the same.

Our goal continues to be negotiated collective agreements that support the well-being of workers, the communities we serve, and the sustainability of the public post.”

Should CUPW strike, Canada Post says it intends to continue delivering in unaffected areas while working to reach agreements. As a result of the strike, customers may experience service delays.

According to Canada Post, if there is a national labour disruption, mail and parcels will not be delivered, and no new items will be accepted until it ends. Once operations resume, all mail and parcels in their network will be secured and delivered as quickly as possible.

Canada Post expects that processing and delivery may take some time to fully return to normal following a rotating strike or a national labour disruption.

They released a statement regarding the ongoing negotiation status between he two parties:

“Canada Post remains committed to reaching collective agreements focused on protecting and enhancing the wages and benefits that are important to our people while reflecting the Corporations’ current realities.”

Earlier this year, the Government of Canada announced repayable funding of up to $1.034 billion for Canada Post to prevent insolvency.

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