Canada Post Shifts from Nationwide Strike to Rotating Walkouts

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has announced a significant change in its labour strategy, moving from a full-scale nationwide strike to a series of rotating walkouts. This shift means that after a two-week halt, mail and parcel delivery across Canada is set to partially resume. However, the public should prepare for ongoing, unpredictable service disruptions as targeted strikes will continue to pop up in different locations across the country. Why the Change in Tactic? The move to rotating strikes is a strategic one for the union. By sending the majority of its 55,000 members back to work, CUPW aims to restore core postal services while maintaining pressure on Canada Post during negotiations. This approach allows the union to continue highlighting their demands without the widespread public frustration that a complete shutdown causes. The union hopes this strategy will help drum up public support for its broader fight against proposed federal reforms that could significantly alter Canada Post, including potential cuts to home delivery and rural services. The Core Issues: Contract and Cuts The dispute is complex, centering on two major fronts: 1. Contract Negotiations: The two sides have been at an impasse for over 18 months. While Canada Post's latest offer includes wage increases, the removal of a proposed signing bonus has been a sticking point for the union, which has rejected the current proposal. 2. The Future of the Service: The conflict extends beyond the contract. The federal government is pushing for major structural changes to address the Crown corporation's reported multi-billion dollar financial losses. The union is fiercely opposing any move it believes would downsize and permanently weaken the public postal service. What Businesses and Shippers Can Expect While the resumption of service is welcome news, especially for small businesses reliant on mail, the situation remains volatile. Clearing Backlogs: The nationwide delivery backlog will slowly begin to clear. Regional Delays: The rotating nature of the new strike action means that delivery delays will be sporadic and region-specific. Continued Uncertainty: The union has not ruled out escalating back to a full strike if negotiations stall again, meaning businesses should remain cautious.