OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — A strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) kicked off Thursday. This comes after the government announced plans to phase out door-to-door mail delivery for most households over the next decade.
As a result, Canada Post stated that all mail and packages would be impacted during the strike. Everything from processing to delivery is on hold, so new items won’t be accepted either.
According to Canada Post, this strike could worsen their already shaky financial situation. Minister of Procurement Joël Lightbound mentioned that these changes were necessary due to declining letter mail volumes and the need to capture a larger share of the parcel market. The new strategy includes more community mailboxes and extended delivery times.
CUPW felt blindsided by this announcement. They argue that both Canada Post and the government are contributing to the decline in demand for postal services.
With all 55,000 CUPW members striking, the union claims Canada Post hasn’t engaged in “real bargaining.” They are pushing for more respectful negotiations regarding employee rights and job security.
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu emphasized the importance of both parties finding common ground. She noted that federal mediators are available to assist in these discussions and encouraged ongoing negotiations for a fair resolution.
Lightbound acknowledged that Canada Post, a national institution that has served Canadians for over 150 years, is facing an “existential crisis.” He stated that relying solely on federal bailouts isn’t a sustainable solution.
The announced changes mean the delivery timeline for letters will stretch from the current three to four days to a range of three to seven days. About four million Canadians will transition from door-to-door delivery to using community mailboxes, while some post offices are set to close permanently. These changes could save Canada Post around $400 million Canadian (approximately $287 million USD) annually.
Interestingly, a recent survey showed that over 75% of households in Canada already don’t have door-to-door delivery. Now, with the ending of the moratorium on community mailboxes, Canada Post is gearing up to expand this service.Learn more here.
In a time when digital communication is becoming more common, the future of postal services is uncertain. However, the role of postal workers in connecting communities remains vital, especially in remote and rural areas. Strikes like this could significantly impact how Canadians receive mail and connect with one another.
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General news, Jol Lightbound, Strikes, Canada, Business, World news, Contracts and orders, Marriage, Patty Hajdu
