Tensions are rising across the country as Canada Post employees have officially issued a strike notice, with plans to walk off the job this Friday. The move comes amid stalled contract negotiations between the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post management, signaling the potential for major disruptions to mail and parcel services nationwide.
The union confirmed in a statement Tuesday that it had served the required 72-hour strike notice, citing unresolved disputes over wages, job security, workplace safety, and the increasing burden placed on frontline postal workers. The planned strike, if it proceeds, would mark the first nationwide postal work stoppage since 2018.
“Canada Post has refused to address our core concerns at the bargaining table,” said CUPW National President Jan Simpson. “We’re standing up for fair wages, better working conditions, and the long-term sustainability of the postal service.”
Friday’s walkout could affect everything from personal mail to government cheques and e-commerce deliveries. Businesses and consumers across Canada are being urged to prepare for potential delays and interruptions in service, particularly as the busy summer shipping season begins.
Canada Post responded to the strike notice by stating it remains committed to negotiating a fair deal and minimizing disruptions to customers. In a public release, the Crown corporation emphasized its desire to reach an agreement without a work stoppage but acknowledged that contingency plans are being prepared in case the walkout proceeds.
The federal government has not yet intervened but is reportedly monitoring the situation closely. Past postal strikes have occasionally led to back-to-work legislation, especially when prolonged disruptions begin to impact the broader economy.
Key issues in the current negotiations include calls for higher wages to match inflation, improved health and safety protections for delivery workers, and greater job stability amid automation and restructuring at Canada Post. The union is also pushing for expanded services, such as postal banking and enhanced community-based operations.
Public support for postal workers remains mixed, with some Canadians expressing sympathy for the frontline workers, while others voice concern over how the strike may affect businesses, especially small enterprises dependent on Canada Post services.
Unless an agreement is reached in the coming days, the strike is set to begin Friday morning, potentially halting mail delivery and sorting operations across the country.
Source : Swifteradio.com
