Will Canada Post deliver? A look inside the labour dispute, the stakes and what comes next
Canada Post workers might soon be putting down their mailbags and grabbing picket signs. The employees of the Crown corporation, represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), have been in contract talks since November 2023 — but a deal still appears to be out of reach. This week, CUPW issued a 72-hour strike notice, putting Canadians on edge just as the holiday mailing rush kicks in, and leaving them wondering: will my packages arrive on time?
Negotiations between the Crown corporation and CUPW have stalled over core issues, including wage increases, pensions, and medical leaves. More than 95 per cent of urban and rural mail carriers recently voted to support a strike, expressing frustration with what they see as insufficient offers from Canada Post. CUPW President Jan Simpson stated the union hasn’t decided on immediate job action, saying it “will depend on Canada Post’s actions at the bargaining table.” Canada Post’s management has proposed an 11.5 per cent wage increase over four years and a flexible delivery model that includes weekend service. The union is proposing 22 per cent over four years, along with other demands including a guaranteed 40-hour workweek and 10 paid bankable medical days (on top of their current seven paid personal days). However, Canada Post has also cautioned that its “deteriorating financial situation” limits its ability to meet all union demands without compromising its financial stability.
In 2018, CUPW workers launched a “rotating” strike that interrupted service to major Canadian cities for 24 hours at a time. The federal government intervened, passing strike-ending legislation, despite strong opposition from labour leaders. Now, as Canada Post faces financial difficulties —
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