Canada Post workers could go on strike at midnight Friday, disrupting mail services for the second time in six months.
The Crown corporation says it has received a strike notice from the union representing some 55,000 postal workers, which could halt deliveries for millions of residents and businesses across the country. Here’s what you need to know:
That depends on the type of strike.
If the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) initiates rotating strikes, Canada Post intends to continue delivering in unaffected areas and working to minimize service disruptions.
In the event of a national labour disruption, Canada Post says starting Friday, mail and parcels will not be delivered until the strike is over. In that case, new items would not be accepted until the strike ends, while those already in the system would be “secured” but not delivered, Canada Post said in a statement.
What we know about Canada Post workers’ strike notice
Canadians can use private courier companies like FedEx, UPS, DHL and Purolator — which is a subsidiary of Canada Post — to deliver mail and packages. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft also offer local parcel delivery in some cities.
A FedEx spokesperson told CBC News the company hopes a resolution is reached between Canada Post and CUPW, but that it has a “comprehensive contingency plan” to manage a potential increase in demand triggered by a strike..
Amazon has previously said Canada Post only delivers “a small percentage” of its packages.
Canada Post says an exception will be made for social assistance cheques.
“Canada Post and CUPW have agreed to continue the delivery of socio-economic cheques during any upcoming labour disruption, for eligible and participating government organizations,” the corporation said in a statement. “The agreement ensures government financial assistance delivered by mail will reach seniors and other Canadians who rely on it.”
This is similar to the last strike in November and December, when Canada Post and the union agreed to continue delivering assistance cheques, including Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, the Canada Child Benefit and Canada Pension Plan.
The other exception will be made for deliveries of live animals, though Canada Post says no new animals would be let through during a strike.
Canada Post, union to meet Wednesday as strike looms
Several Canadian banks have been reminding customers, as they did during the last strike, to switch to online statements and e-banking to manage bills and other banking communication.
A Scotiabank spokesperson told CBC News on Tuesday that the bank is reminding its clients about the possible service disruption and providing advice on how to minimize the impact, including switching to e-statements.
Jasmin Guenette, VP of national affairs with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, says 80 per cent of the country’s small businesses rely on Canada Post for their daily operations, including shipping goods, invoicing and receiving payments, and that private couriers can be more expensive.
“It would be really unfortunate, to say the least, if there’s another strike at Canada Post,” said.
Guenette says the previous, 32-day strike — during the holiday season, a peak shipping time — cost small businesses more than $1 billion due to lost revenue and sales, and having to use more expensive shipping options.
Canada Post strike notice brings worry over cost and sales, small business owner says
The last strike ended when the federal government ordered employees back to work under their existing contracts, which were extended until May 22 to allow the bargaining process to resume.
Those contracts are now ending, and the union is still in disagreement with the corporation on several issues, including worker pay, benefits, pensions and Canada Post’s intent to hire part-time workers for weekend deliveries instead of paying overtime for weekend shifts.
