At 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday, approximately 55,000 postal workers across Canada went on strike, marking a significant disruption in postal services right before Black Friday and the holiday season. According to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), the decision to strike was a last resort after a year of stagnant negotiations with Canada Post. CUPW states, “Canada Post had the opportunity to prevent this strike, but it refused to negotiate real solutions to the issues postal workers face every day.”
With millions of Canadians depending on the postal service for holiday deliveries, Canada Post announced early Friday that its operations will be temporarily shut down. Mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered, and select post offices will be closed. The strike is expected to impact service timelines even after it ends, as Canada Post plans to deliver items on a first-come, first-served basis once operations resume. This halt in services could have far-reaching effects on Canadian businesses and consumers during one of the busiest shipping periods of the year.
Canada Post and CUPW have been at odds over several key issues, despite Canada Post’s offer of an 11.5% wage increase over four years, along with pension protections and health benefits. CUPW argues these measures fall short, demanding fair wages, improved working conditions, and expanded public postal services. CUPW’s statement emphasizes, “Our demands are reasonable: fair wages, safe working conditions, the right to retire with dignity, and the expansion of services at the public post office.”
Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon expressed on X (formerly Twitter) that federal mediators and a special mediator are supporting both sides to reach an agreement. Teamsters Canada has also voiced solidarity, confirming that Purolator, a Canada Post subsidiary, will not handle packages from Canada Post during the strike.
Source: Swifteradio.com
