Canada Post Strike: What You Need to Know
More than 55,000 Canada Post workers might go on strike later this week. If they do, it could stop mail and parcel deliveries across the country.
When Could the Strike Start?
The strike is planned to begin at midnight on Friday, May 23.
However, Jim Gallant, a union negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), told CTV News they might delay the strike by two weeks—but only if Canada Post gives them a new offer on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for Canada Post, Jon Hamilton, said the company will meet with the union that day.
Will Mail Still Be Delivered?
It depends on the type of strike:
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If there’s a national strike, all mail and parcel deliveries will stop across Canada. Canada Post won’t accept new mail or packages, and anything that hasn’t been delivered yet will be delayed.
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If there are rotating strikes, only certain areas will be affected at a time. Mail and parcels might still be delayed across the country, but not completely stopped.
The union hasn’t made a final decision on which type of strike they’ll use.
Are There Any Exceptions?
Yes. Even during a full strike:
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Social assistance cheques will still be delivered.
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Live animals already in the system will also be delivered. But no new animals will be accepted during the strike.
What If You Still Need to Send Something?
You can still send mail or parcels using private courier companies like:
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FedEx
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Purolator
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UPS
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DHL
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Canpar
These companies are often more expensive than Canada Post. Some rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft also offer local delivery. In cities, bike couriers and small delivery services are another option.
Has This Happened Before?
Yes. This would be the second strike in six months.
In November and December, postal workers went on strike for 32 days, which delayed millions of packages during the holiday season. That strike ended when the federal government stepped in.
Why Are Postal Workers Going on Strike Again?
The union and Canada Post are still arguing over a few things:
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Canada Post wants to hire more part-time workers for weekend deliveries.
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The union wants full-time workers to keep getting overtime pay for weekend work.
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They also can’t agree on issues like wages, benefits, and pensions.
A deal could still be reached before Friday to stop the strike from happening.
