Canada Post workers have initiated a nationwide strike following the federal government’s approval of sweeping reforms aimed at restructuring the postal service. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has labeled these reforms as an ‘attack on our postal service and workers,’ prompting the industrial action. This strike, involving 55,000 union members, escalates an ongoing dispute over pay and benefits that previously led to a weeks-long walkout in late 2023. Canada Post has warned that operations will cease during the strike, leaving millions of mail and parcels undelivered and exacerbating the corporation’s already precarious financial situation. The proposed reforms include the closure of several post offices, particularly in rural areas, and granting the service greater flexibility to adjust pricing. Additionally, Canada Post plans to reduce air parcel deliveries in favor of ground transportation to cut costs. A contentious proposal involves ending home deliveries, redirecting parcels to community mailboxes instead of individual residences. This change would affect approximately four million addresses nationwide. Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound emphasized that the reforms are essential to save Canada Post, which reported a C$1 billion loss last year and is projected to lose C$1.5 billion in 2024. However, the CUPW argues that these measures will undermine public service and fail to address customer needs. The Canadian Association of Independent Business has expressed concerns over the strike’s timing, warning of a ‘massive’ impact on small businesses, particularly during the critical holiday retail shipping season. While government social security cheques will continue to be delivered, negotiations on the pay dispute remain unresolved, leaving the future of Canada Post and its workers in uncertainty.
Nationwide strike by Canada’s postal workers bring mail deliveries to a halt
