Canada Post says it will begin welcoming employees back on Saturday, Oct. 11, as the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) shifts from a full national strike to rotating strikes.
In a statement issued Friday, the Crown corporation said plans are underway to ensure a safe and orderly restart of its national operations, which were shut down without warning on Sept. 25 following the union’s decision to launch a nationwide walkout. While some postal services are expected to resume next week, Canada Post warned that the move to rotating strikes will continue to cause instability and uncertainty for customers.
“Restarting operations in parts of our integrated national system while other areas remain on strike presents significant challenges to maintaining reliable service,” the company said, adding that all service guarantees remain suspended.
According to Canada Post, Canadians and Canadian businesses have endured more than 170 days of strike activity by CUPW over the past year, including two full national shutdowns. The only pause in job action came during the Industrial Inquiry Commission process ordered by the federal government. The corporation said this prolonged instability has driven customers to other carriers or away from using the postal system altogether.
Canada Post also noted the financial impact of repeated disruptions has been “significant and mounting.” With collective agreements expired and ongoing labour uncertainty, the company said it will need to adjust operations to reflect current business realities.
The postal service has urged the union to return to the bargaining table to reach new collective agreements. It said it is still waiting for a response to proposals submitted on Oct. 3, which it described as fair, affordable and reflective of the challenges facing the business. Canada Post added that only new agreements can restore the certainty needed for Canadians and businesses to confidently rely on the postal system.
“The need to align Canada Post’s operations with the current needs of Canadians—and to reduce dependence on taxpayer funding—grows more urgent with each passing day of continued strike activity,” the corporation said.