The 2024 Canada Post strike is an ongoing strike action against Canada Post by the national membership of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). The strike began on Friday, November 15, 2024.[1] The strike is currently ongoing.
| 2024 Canada Post strike | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 CUPW strikers outside a Canada Post facility in Surrey, British Columbia in November 2024 | |||
| Date | November 15, 2024 | ||
| Location | |||
| Methods | Strike action | ||
| Status | Ongoing | ||
| Parties | |||
Background
editNegotiations for a new contract began a year prior to the strike, on November 15, 2023. On August 2, 2024, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers filed with the federal Minister of Labour to get conciliators to help mediate.[2] After continued impasse in negotiations and a cooling-off period, the Government of Canada appointed mediators to assist in negotiation that, ultimately, was also unsuccessful.[3] The nation-wide strike began after CUPW issued a 72-hour strike notice and Canada Post issued a 72-hour lockout notice.[4]
As of November 2024, CUPW represents approximately 55,000 striking workers.[5] Its list of demands includes:
- wage increases of 24% over four years, which it says will keep wages up to inflation;
- enhancements to group benefits, such as coverage for fertility treatments and gender-affirming care;
- improved protections against technological change;
- enhancements to paid medical leave;
- paid meal and rest periods; and
- increased short-term disability benefits.[6][7]
Canada Post has offered workers wage increases amounting to 11.5% over four years as well as increased paid leave.[7]
In a Angus Reid poll that was conducted in the third week of the strike, 34% of Canadians sided with Canada Post, 29% sided with the striking workers and 37% were unsure or didn't support either side.[8]
Impact
editDomestic
editTo prevent passports from being held in processing centres, Service Canada announced it would delay the distribution of 85,000 passports.[9] About ten million packages were not delivered.[10] The strike impacted Black Friday.[11] Many also accused the striking workers of "cancelling Christmas" due to the strike being so close to the holidays.[12][13][14] The Santa Claus letter program was suspended, with Canada Post saying that all letters received will be responded to once the strike is over, but that it could not guarantee responses before Christmas.[15] In some communities, members of the public, businesses and union locals organized their own drop boxes to receive letters to Santa.[15][16][17]
Due to the strike, Elections Canada did not provide voter information cards for the December 18 by-election in Cloverdale—Langley City.[18] Some municipalities and condominium stratas were unable to provide public notices of their meetings.[19][20][21]
On November 28, Canada Post temporarily laid off some striking employees.[22] In a notice posted to members, CUPW described the layoffs as a "scare tactic" meant to intimidate union members,[23] arguing that such action would violate the Canada Labour Code.[22]
On December 1, Canada Post presented a "framework" to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) in order to end the strike. CUPW said on their website that its negotiators are reviewing the framework documents.[24]
On December 2, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said that the strike had cost small and medium-sized businesses $765 Million.[25][26]
While most recipients receive direct deposits, thousands of social assistance cheques went undelivered in British Columbia.[27][28]
On December 12, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre questioned Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on when the government would step in and put an end to the strike. Trudeau then responded that the "best deals are made at the bargaining table".[29]
International
editOn November 29, Canada Post asked the mail services of all other countries to stop accepting or sending mail to Canada, as such mail has remained unprocessed in secure containers since November 15, and cannot be delivered or even scanned due to the strike.[30]
Proposed Back to Work Order
editOn December 13, 2024, Canadian Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon declared an impasse in the talks, and asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to formally support that declaration and order the postal workers back on the job. If the CIRB agrees with MacKinnon, it would order the workers back and extend their current expired contract until May 2025. MacKinnon added that both sides have a right to be heard by CIRB before such an order is made.[31]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Schmunk, Rhianna (November 15, 2024). "What you need to know about your mail during the Canada Post strike". CBC. Archived from the original on November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ Post, Canada. "Notice of dispute". www.canadapost-postescanada.ca. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ Post, Canada. "Mediators appointed to assist in negotiations with CUPW". www.canadapost-postescanada.ca. Archived from the original on November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ "CUPW Issues Strike Notice, Canada Post Retaliates with Lockout Notice". CUPW. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ "Sides in Canada Post strike remain far apart on several issues, union says". CBC. November 16, 2024.
- ^ Dangerfield, Katie. "Canada Post strike explained: What you need to know about your mail". Global News. Archived from the original on November 29, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ a b Hudes, Sammy (December 4, 2024). "Canada Post strike: Key issues in the dispute that's holding up mail delivery". Business in Vancouver. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ "Public support key but harder to keep as Canada Post strike drags on, experts say". CTVNews. December 13, 2024.
- ^ Cabrera, Holly (November 19, 2024). "Service Canada holding 85,000 passports as Canada Post strike continues". CBC News. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ "Canada Post says it missed delivering nearly 10M parcels amid strike". Global News. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Lord, Craig. "How the Canada Post strike could affect your Black Friday shopping". Global News. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ Chini, Joey (November 29, 2024). "'It's getting a bit scary': Calgary Canada Post worker worried as national strike drags on". CBC. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "Letters to Santa stranded by the Canada Post strike? Here's how to get your kids a reply before the holidays". The Globe and Mail. November 29, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "Canada Post strike impacts Christmas traditions". Atlantic. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ a b The Canadian Press (December 4, 2024). "Canada Post removes deadline for Santa letter program as strike continues". CBC News. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ Simon, Chris (December 9, 2024). "No mail? Don't fret, you can still get response from Santa". Barrie Today. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ Lavoie, Joanna (December 7, 2024). "Striking Canada Post workers continue annual Santa letter tradition, while also helping Toronto food bank". CP24. Archived from the original on December 9, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ Kulkarni, Akshay (December 2, 2024). "No voter information cards for upcoming B.C. byelection due to Canada Post strike". CBC News. Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ Chan, Cheryl (December 3, 2024). "Canada Post Strike: What it means for your bills, cheques, letters to Santa and more". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ Rantanen, Maria (December 3, 2024). "Canada Post strike hinders City of Richmond's public notifications". Richmond News. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ Gioventu, Tony (November 24, 2024). "Condo Smarts: Postal strike impacts notice of general meeting". Times Colonist. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ a b The Canadian Press (November 28, 2024). "Canada Post says it has been temporarily laying off striking workers". CBC News. Archived from the original on November 29, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ Paglinawan, Denise (November 28, 2024). "Canada Post temporarily laying off striking workers, union says". financialpost.com. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "Canada Post presents union with 'framework' to reach deal, end strike". CBC. The Canadian Press. December 1, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ "Canada Post strike costs Canadian small businesses $76 million per day - $1 billion total by Wednesday". www.cfib-fcei.ca. December 2, 2024.
- ^ "Canada Post strike has cost small businesses $765M: CFIB - National | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ The Canadian Press (December 6, 2024). "Thousands of social assistance cheques haven't been given out during Canada Post strike: B.C. ombudsperson". CBC News. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ Collins, Lauren (December 6, 2024). "Thousands of B.C. social assistance cheques not delivered amid postal strike". The Fernie Free Press. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ "Settlement reached in complaint over Canada Post layoffs as strike hits four weeks". CTVNews. December 12, 2024.
- ^ "Canada Service Suspension - Newsroom - About.usps.com". usps.com. United States Postal Service. November 29, 2024. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
- ^ Dangerfield, Katie (December 13, 2024). "Canada Post strike: Minister seeks order to get workers back on the job". Global News.
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