Canada Post workers issue strike notice ahead of busy holiday season

Canada Post now faces a strike deadline.

The union representing its employees has issued a 72-hour strike notice if demands aren’t met, and it could affect millions of Canadians’ mail ahead of a busy holiday season.

In an October 29 release, Canada Post stated that it had offered new proposals to meet negotiated agreements, adding that labour disruption would have “significant consequences” for millions of Canadians, further deepening the Crown corporation’s “serious financial situation.” In 2023, Canada Post recorded a loss of $748 million, and in 2022, it recorded a loss of $548 million.

But it appears that the proposed changes aren’t enough.

According to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), which represents over 60,000 workers nationwide, workers will be “legally allowed to strike as of Friday, November 15, if negotiated settlements have not been reached.”

However, whether or not that means mail service could be suspended by this Friday is still unclear — the union said that its national executive board has yet to decide whether the job action will take place immediately.

In the strike notice, CUPW National President Jan Simpson said that issues remain unresolved, stating that the outcome will “depend on Canada Post’s actions at the bargaining table in the days to come.”

Some of the employee demands include wage increases in line with inflation, the inclusion of cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) in the basic wage rate, an increase in short-term disability payments, an additional 10 days of paid medical leave, improved group benefit plans, paid meal and rest periods for employees working five hours or more, job protection against technological change, improved staffing, better rights for temporary employees, and work cessation for pregnant and breastfeeding employees.

“After almost a year of bargaining, despite our best efforts, the parties remain far apart on many issues,” said Simpson.

Canada Post had proposed an 11.5 per cent wage increase over four years, wage protection against inflation, improved leave entitlements, better protection for rural and suburban mail carriers, and protection of the defined benefit pension for current employees, as well as their job security and health benefits.

Canadians appear to be on the employees’ side.

“Personally, I say I am perfectly fine with the union starving out the company until they get what they want. My Canadian Tire flyer can wait a couple of months,” stated Redditor rdkill.

“Canada Post had their worst fiscal last year so they’re really going to feel the hurt now. Besides the point, the workers obviously deserve two per cent a year, at least,” wrote BetterOutThenIn.

Another stated, “Everyone in Canada should be on strike and asking the cheapskate owners for more money.”

Some shoppers are choosing not to risk potential delays by shopping locally.

Not everyone is in favour of a strike.

“Say goodbye to your jobs. Union insanity killing the business will just make it easier for the next government to cut it to pieces,” stated Reddit user Lascivious_Lute.

Non-profit organization Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada states that small businesses will likely suffer from “unprecedented” supply chain issues.

Small businesses have taken to social media to warn customers of potential delays and express their concern about the impact of a strike near the holidays.

“I really hope they don’t strike. We are a small business that does a lot of shipping on Amazon from our storefront, not from an Amazon warehouse,” stated BallinBrown23.

What are your thoughts on a potential Canada Post strike?