Here we go again!
Canadians are getting a case of deja vu as another Canada Post strike looms, if no agreement is reached by midnight on Friday, May 23.
Not even half a year after the company’s last strike disrupted mail delivery services for millions of people and businesses across the country during the holiday season, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has issued strike notices for both Urban and Rural and Suburban Mail Carrier (RSMC) units.
According to a statement released by the organization, “In the event CUPW initiates rotating strike activity, Canada Post intends to continue delivering in unaffected areas while working to reach negotiated agreements”.
However, if a full national strike should occur like it did in December 2024, mail and parcel delivery would be halted entirely, and no new mail would be accepted until the labour action ends. Customers and businesses are therefore being advised to be prepared for potential delays.
Any mail or parcels that were received in the network prior to the strike will be “secured and delivered as quickly as possible” once operations resume, though processing and delivery make take time to fully return to normal.
Canada Post also confirmed that socio-economic cheques and other critical government financial aid will continue to be delivered to seniors and others who rely on the mail system. Shipments of live animals already in transit will also proceed, though no new live shipments will be accepted during the strike.
The last strike saw 55,000 workers walk off the job for 32 days, resulting in millions of letters and parcels left in limbo. It also cost small businesses an estimated $1.6 billion during their peak season.
A deal was never reached, and workers were forced back to the job in mid-December with an order from the labour minister, along with a temporary 5 per cent raise. The extension expires this week.
Things don’t look good for the future of the mail delivery service, as Canada Post hasn’t turned a profit since 2017. Not only that, they have since lost $3 billion, and a federally commissioned report declared it “effectively insolvent”.
In January, the federal government provided a $1 billion loan to keep the corporation afloat, but Canada Post says it will need another $1 billion annually by 2026 just to meet basic financial obligations.