Canada Post Rotating Strikes: How Shippers Can Manage Holiday Challenges
As labor disruptions impact Canada Post, experts advise businesses to focus on clear customer communication and secure multiple delivery options to mitigate holiday season obstacles.
Strike Background and Impact
Employees of Canada Post, represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), have initiated rotating strikes ahead of the critical holiday delivery period. This tactic may lead to significant disruptions for shippers who are not prepared.
Last year, a nationwide strike halted Canada Post operations during the holiday season due to stalled contract negotiations, resulting in widespread delivery delays. The contract issues have persisted into 2025, causing additional work stoppages including an employee overtime ban, suspension of unaddressed direct mail delivery, and further strikes.
Current Strike Status
In October, CUPW replaced the full strike with rotating work stoppages, affecting mail and parcel pickup and delivery in targeted areas. As of Tuesday, strikes are ongoing in London and Cobourg, Ontario, with 18 other locations having experienced rotating strikes since early October.
"Once the strike is over in a given location, the delivery of mail and parcels will restart as quickly as possible once operations resume," Canada Post stated.
Additional Service Interruptions
CUPW National President Jan Simpson reported that employees have stopped processing and delivering unaddressed advertising mail in Ontario and Quebec, except for certain areas.
Key Advice for Shippers
- Maintain proactive communication with customers to set realistic delivery expectations.
- Arrange alternative delivery methods and carriers to avoid relying solely on Canada Post during strikes.
- Monitor strike locations regularly for updates on service resumptions.
Author's summary: Canada Post’s rotating strikes threaten holiday deliveries, urging shippers to communicate clearly and diversify delivery options to minimize disruption.
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