Canada Post rotating strikes: How shippers can limit holiday hurdles

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Canada Post employees, represented by the Canadian Postal Workers Union, have called rolling strikes as the holiday delivery rush approaches, a move that could create another disruptive peak season for unprepared shippers.

Workers for the state transport company They were on a nationwide strike During the holiday season last year, as negotiations for new labor contracts stalled, Canada Post shut down operations and caused delivery delays. The contract dispute continued into 2025, leading to periods Prohibition of employee overtimestop delivery Direct mail without address and Another general strike.

Last month, the CUPW called off a full strike in its favour Rotary work stopswhich prevents receiving or delivering mail and packages in affected areas. From TuesdayAccording to the carrier, strikes are active in the Ontario communities of London and Cobourg. Eighteen other locations have experienced spin-off attacks since they began on October 11.

Canada Post says: “After the strike ends at a given location, mail and parcel delivery will resume as soon as possible after operations resume.”

Ian Simpson, CUPW national president, also said employees will not process or deliver unaddressed promotional emails in Ontario and Quebec, with the exception of certain areas. said Monday. While the rolling stoppages continue, he added that CUPW’s ultimate goal is to “secure verifiable collective agreements” in ongoing contract negotiations.

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Alison Layfield, vice president of product development at ePost Global, said in an email that shipments on the Canada Post network are currently moving without any significant problems, but as the peak season progresses, “any delays due to strikes may be more significant.”

Simpson said in the Oct. 14 bulletin that rolling strikes could be in store for wrestlers because CUPW does not announce the location, date or duration of the strike in advance. However, the impact of these measures is expected to be less disruptive than the national CUPW strike called earlier this year for the 2024 peak season.

“Spin attacks may delay posts and packs a bit, but they keep them moving,” Simpson said. They also reduce hardship for postal workers, while continuing to pressure Canada Post and the government to return to bargaining.

In an interview, Imtiaz Kermali, vice president of sales and marketing at eShipper, said Canada Post shippers should make it a priority to send clear messages to customers to ensure they are aware of possible delays as the strikes continue. Businesses can also offer shoppers the option to upgrade their shipping method to a faster offering, such as expedited service, he added.

“People want to know what’s going on, even if it’s not going to be delivered on time, at least let them know where it is, what the issues are,” Kermali said.

Use of other delivery providers

The use of alternative carriers will also be a critical safety valve for Canadian mail carriers, experts say. Many jobs They have changed some of their volume to other carriers such as UPS and FedEx to limit the risk of disruption during labor disputes, a practice that can be even more important during the holidays.

“Everybody, whether Canada Post is on strike or not, is at a level during peak season,” Karmali said. So regardless of strike or no strike, you should always have other options available.

UPS confirmed on its website that it was experiencing higher levels of volume in Canada amid the turmoil. As a result, UPS has suspended service reimbursement for all eligible Canadian domestic and import offers, while extending its delivery time commitments for seven services. However, the company added that it is prepared to maintain on-time service for current senders as the Canada Post strike in 2024.

“During this time of uncertainty, UPS Canada is committed to serving our current customers and their current volumes,” the operator said. Our network is poised and ready to scale and support the logistics needs of businesses and consumers in Canada and around the world.