OTTAWA — Canadians can expect mail and parcel delivery to gradually resume next week as Canada Post workers end their two-week nationwide strike and begin rotating work stoppages starting this morning.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) said rotating strikes officially began at 6 a.m. local time, with individual branches to be notified when they will rotate out of service. The move marks a significant shift from the full shutdown that began on September 25, hours after the federal government announced sweeping changes to Canada Post’s business model.
Canada Post said operations will restart next week, but warned that “uncertainty and instability” will continue while rotating strikes are underway. All service guarantees have been suspended, and delays are expected as the postal network ramps back up.
The union’s decision followed a meeting Wednesday with Joël Lightbound, the minister responsible for Canada Post. CUPW said it reiterated concerns over the government’s plans, including phasing out door-to-door delivery for nearly all Canadian households over the next decade.
CUPW represents 55,000 postal workers across the country. The rotating strike strategy is intended to keep mail moving while maintaining pressure in ongoing labour disputes over working conditions, modernization plans, and service changes.