Canada Post workers have officially walked off the job Friday morning, launching a strike that has halted mail and parcel deliveries across the country. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), representing approximately 55,000 workers, announced the strike after nearly a year of stalled negotiations with the Crown corporation over wages, safety conditions, and other workplace improvements.
The union claims that despite prolonged talks, little progress has been made in addressing their key concerns. “We have been seeking fair wages, safer working conditions, and better job protections for almost a year now, but Canada Post has been unwilling to meet our demands in a meaningful way,” the union said in a press release early Friday.
The strike follows a 72-hour notice issued by CUPW earlier in the week. Canada Post responded with a lockout notice but indicated that it did not plan to prevent workers from continuing their duties. However, the strike has forced the corporation to issue a warning to customers, stating that deliveries would be significantly impacted.
“Customers will experience delays in receiving mail and parcels for the duration of the strike. Some post offices will also be closed temporarily,” said Canada Post in an official statement. They added that the shutdown of key facilities will have a ripple effect on the national postal network, meaning the restoration of services will take time even after the strike ends.
The dispute has now drawn the attention of the federal government. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon appointed the director general of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services as a special mediator in the hopes of pushing the parties towards an agreement. “Our top federal mediators have been tirelessly working with both sides, and we are deploying additional resources to help facilitate an agreement,” MacKinnon posted on X (formerly Twitter).
With the holiday season approaching, the timing of the strike has heightened concerns among businesses and individuals who rely on Canada Post’s services. Delays in shipping could affect online retailers, small businesses, and consumers nationwide.
There is no clear timeline for when the strike might end, and both sides remain at odds over core issues such as wage increases and workplace safety standards. The union has expressed a willingness to continue negotiations but insists that Canada Post must address outstanding issues for a deal to be reached.
The nation now waits to see whether intensified mediation efforts will bring a resolution to the strike, or if prolonged disruptions will continue to affect Canada’s postal system.
Stay tuned to Dhwani for further updates on this developing situation.
