Canada Post workers are set to strike on Friday.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), for both Urban and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers has sent notices to the postal company, with plans for strikes to begin at midnight local time.
For now, postal operations will continue as normal, Canada Post says.
They say a labour disruption would affect millions of people.
If the union chooses to do a rotating strike, packages will be delivered in certain areas, while the company will negotiate agreements for the affected areas, according to Canada Post.
If there is a national postal disruption, then no new parcels will be accepted, and no mail currently in the system will be delivered. Canada Post will hold onto it until the strike is over.
This is the latest in a back-and-forth between the company and the union.
Before the holiday season in December, 2024, Canada Post workers went on strike until they were ordered back onto the job, with the option to strike again later on.
The union wanted better wages and benefits for its members.
The company says the postal service needs change if it’s going to be a competitive option.
“Since 2018, the Corporation has recorded more than $3 billion in losses before tax, and it will post another significant loss for 2024. In early 2025, the Government of Canada announced repayable funding of up to $1.034 billion for Canada Post to prevent insolvency,” read a news release from Canada Post.
Any socio-economic cheques, like social assistance, will be sent even if there is a strike. The cheques for May will be sent before the strike date of Friday, while Canada Post will reveal plans for June’s cheques at a later date.
