Photo courtesy: Canadian Press
Canada Post

CUPW issues 72-hour strike notice

Nov 12, 2024 | 8:12 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has issued strike notice for both its urban and rural bargaining units. It means CUPW will be in a legal position to strike Friday morning at 9:01 a.m. Pacific Time.

If CUPW initiates rotating strike activity, Canada Post says it intends to continue delivering for Canadians and Canadian businesses while working to reach negotiated agreements.

Canada Post says it has notified the union that unless new agreements are reached, the current collective agreements will no longer apply as of Friday.

“The Corporation will then be in a position, using the means provided in the Canada Labour Code, to adjust operations based on its operational realities and business needs.”

Canada Post notes that delivered parcel volumes have been “in an accelerating decline since CUPW announced its strike mandate on October 25. Last week, Canada Post’s parcel volumes declined by 28 per cent compared to the same week of the previous year. That represents 1.3 million parcels – or more than a day’s worth of delivered parcels at this time of year – that went to competitors instead of Canada Post.”

Canada Post says it “is rapidly falling behind in today’s highly competitive, customer-focused parcel delivery market. In the first half of 2024, the company recorded a loss from operations of $490 million. Since 2018, the Corporation has lost more than $3 billion.”

CUPW says sticking points include wages, staffing provisions and benefits.

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