OTTAWA – NATIONAL NEWS – NETNEWSLEDGER – Canada Post is once again on the brink of a national labour disruption, with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) officially serving strike notice that could see 55,000 postal workers walk off the job as early as 12:01 a.m. Friday, May 23.
The strike notice follows what CUPW calls a serious breach of trust—an indication by Canada Post that it may unilaterally alter working conditions and suspend employee benefits.
“This is a direct threat to workers’ rights and job security,” CUPW said in a national release. “Our members have made it clear: this is unacceptable.”
Companies Already Sounding the Shipping Alarm
If you are like millions of Canadians, shopping online, your emails are probably already arriving with companies you have done business with explaining what they are planning in the event of a strike.
With a potential Canada Post strike starting May 22nd, we’ve made a few important updates to make sure your orders continue to ship smoothly.
✔️ Alternative carriers now available
At checkout, you’ll see shipping options from other carriers so your gear doesn’t get delayed.🚫 PO Boxes not supported
Most alternative carriers don’t deliver to PO Boxes, so please use a physical address when checking out.
Tense History, Frozen Talks
This latest development comes after a turbulent period between Canada Post and CUPW. The two sides last clashed in November 2024, when postal workers launched a month-long strike over wage increases, work hours, and the push for expanded weekend parcel delivery.
The strike ended only after the Canada Industrial Relations Board stepped in, ruling the two sides were at an impasse and forcing a return to work—under the condition that talks would resume in 2025.
However, those negotiations are now on pause, with Canada Post last week accusing CUPW of hardening its stance and stepping back from discussions. The Crown corporation says it is taking time to re-evaluate proposals, pledging to return to the table with “offers that reflect the Corporation’s current financial realities.”
Canada Post’s Precarious Position
The strike threat comes just days after the release of a high-profile mediator’s report by veteran labour specialist William Kaplan, who warned that Canada Post is teetering on insolvency. The report recommends drastic structural changes, including:
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Closure of more rural post offices
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Expansion of community mailboxes
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Introduction of weekend parcel delivery using part-time workers
CUPW has strongly condemned the report, calling it “skewed heavily in favour of Canada Post’s position” and dismissing its assumptions about growing parcel demand as unproven.
“The proposed reforms would gut the services Canadians rely on,” the union said in a public response. “This report ignores the union’s ideas for expanding and modernizing postal services.”
Economic Fallout: Small Businesses on Edge
The looming strike has triggered alarm among small business owners, many of whom still rely heavily on Canada Post for deliveries, invoices, and customer outreach. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) estimates that the last strike, in late 2024, cost businesses over $1 billion in lost sales and disruptions.
“An extended strike now would be devastating,” said Dan Kelly, CFIB president. “Thousands of small businesses are still recovering from previous disruptions. This is a major blow.”
Kelly also echoed concerns that with no looming holiday rush, the union holds less leverage in this round of negotiations, increasing the chance of a prolonged strike that could invite federal intervention or even permanent structural change within the Crown corporation.
What Happens Next?
With both sides at a standstill and the clock ticking, the federal government is closely monitoring the situation but has not yet indicated whether it will step in to avert a strike.
Canada Post has warned customers to expect mail and parcel delivery disruptions starting Friday, should a walkout proceed. The Crown corporation said no new items will be accepted and no deliveries will be made during a labour disruption.
How Thunder Bay Could Be Affected
In Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario, residents and small businesses could see significant delays in mail and parcel services. For many in remote communities, Canada Post remains a vital link—one that, if severed, could add pressure to already stretched supply chains.
