OTTAWA — Canada Post says a strike by the country’s mail carriers could start as early as Friday.
In a media release issued Monday, the federal Crown corporation said it received strike notices from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers’ bargaining units for both urban as well as rural and suburban mail carriers.
If the two sides, which are currently in negotiations, fail to reach a deal, strike action would begin at midnight on Friday, Canada Post said. It claimed it has lost $3 billion since 2018 and expects another loss for 2024.
“In the event CUPW initiates rotating strike activity, Canada Post intends to continue delivering in unaffected areas while working to reach negotiated agreements. Canada Post will work to minimize service disruptions, but customers may experience delays,” the corporation’s media release said.
“In the event of a national labour disruption, mail and parcels will not be delivered and no new items will be accepted until the disruption is over. All mail and parcels in our network will be secured and delivered as quickly as possible once operations resume.”
However, socio-economic cheques for May will be delivered before any possible disruption, Canada Post said, adding that both sides have agreed to continue delivering those cheques in the event of strike action “for eligible and participating government organizations.
In Northwestern Ontario, Synergy North — which provides power to Thunder Bay and Kenora — advised its customers that should any labour disruptions happen, people still have to make payments on time.
“This potential service disruption could impact the delivery of Synergy North bills and payments made by mail,” said a press release issued on Tuesday by the utility.
“While postal delays may occur, Synergy North customers are reminded to stay informed of their account balance to confirm payments are made on time.”
The utility encouraged customers who haven’t done so to sign up for electronic billing and payment on its website, adding that people will need their account number and meter number available.
The news comes roughly five months after the federal government ended a month-long postal strike by asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to issue a back-to-work order order and extend terms of the existing collective agreements until May 22, this Thursday.
