Another Canada Post strike could happen this month
Months after a chaotic mail strike that resulted in disastrous holiday delays, Canada Post workers may walk off the job again in the matter of weeks if an agreement isn’t reached.
In a statement, Canada Post said that at the end of last year, the national strike was paused for the Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) to take place. As such, the collective agreements between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) were ordered extended until May 22, 2025.
“This means a labour disruption could happen as early as May 22, but not before,” said Canada Post.
The IIC commissioner, William Kaplan, held hearings in February, reviewing Canada Post’s financial situation and viability, as well as the union’s negotiated commitments to job security and full-time employment, and will present a report and recommendations to the Minister of Labour by May 15.
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During the IIC process, both parties have continued negotiations but have yet to reach an agreement, said Canada Post.
The Crown corporation remains “committed to the bargaining process and is striving to reach new collective agreements that will help us better serve the changing needs of Canadians while providing good jobs to those who provide that service.”
In a release, the CUPW said meetings with Canada Post and a mediator took place on April 30 and May 1.
“If progress is made, talks will continue,” said CUPW national president Jan Simpson.
Last winter’s Canada Post strike saw over 55,000 employees represented by CUPW walk off the job in mid-November. The strike resulted in major mail and package delays during the busy Christmas season, and even threatened small businesses.
Canada Post employees were ordered back to work by the federal government in December after the Minister of Labour announced his decision to invoke his authority under the Canada Labour Code.
With files from Daniel Chai and Isabelle Docto