Canada Post says it will welcome employees back to work on Saturday, October 11, following more than two weeks of a full national strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). The postal agency confirmed that operations will gradually resume across the country, though customers should expect ongoing disruptions as the union shifts to rotating strikes.
In a statement released Friday, Canada Post said preparations are underway for “a safe and orderly restart” of its nationwide operations, which were abruptly halted when CUPW launched a national strike on September 25. While the resumption of some services marks a step toward restoring mail delivery, the agency warned that uncertainty remains.
“Shutting down and restarting parts of our integrated national network with rotating strikes has always challenged our ability to provide reliable service to customers,” the corporation said, adding that all service guarantees will be suspended during this period.
According to Canada Post, the ongoing labor unrest has caused significant challenges for both the company and Canadians who depend on its services. The corporation noted that in the past year alone, there have been over 170 days of strike action by CUPW, including two national walkouts.
“This prolonged period of instability, uncertainty, and disruption has significantly impacted Canadians and Canadian businesses, often without warning,” the statement read.
The repeated strikes, Canada Post said, have led many businesses and individuals to turn to private carriers or avoid using the postal service altogether. The agency also cited mounting financial losses, describing its financial position as “dire” and warning that continued uncertainty could force operational adjustments.
Canada Post reiterated its call for CUPW to return to the bargaining table, emphasizing that new collective agreements are essential to restoring public confidence in the postal system.
“Only new collective agreements will provide the certainty Canadians require to confidently use the postal system,” the statement added.
The corporation said it made its latest offer to the union on October 3, outlining proposals it described as “affordable and fair” in light of current challenges. The company said it is still waiting for the union’s response.
The release also underscored the urgency of reducing Canada Post’s reliance on taxpayer funding, noting that aligning operations with “the current needs of the country” is becoming more critical as the strike continues.
The decision by CUPW to transition from a nationwide strike to rotating strikes means some regions may experience service intermittency in the coming weeks. Rotating strikes—where workers in specific areas walk off the job for limited periods—are intended to pressure employers while minimizing wage loss among employees.
However, this strategy also complicates national logistics and mail delivery timelines. Canada Post acknowledged that such disruptions make it difficult to maintain predictable service levels.
While the corporation has pledged to restart operations safely and efficiently, it remains unclear how quickly normal delivery standards will resume. For now, customers across the country are being told to expect ongoing mail and parcel delays.
CUPW, which represents approximately 50,000 postal workers nationwide, has been in contract negotiations with Canada Post since the expiration of the last collective agreements earlier this year. The union has cited concerns over pay, working conditions, and job security, while the corporation argues it must adapt to declining mail volumes and growing financial pressures.
As the two sides remain at an impasse, Canadians are once again caught in the middle—facing disruptions to everything from bill payments to small business deliveries.
Whether both parties return to the bargaining table soon may determine how quickly the country’s postal network regains the trust of businesses and households that rely on it daily.
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