Canada Post strike: What workers want, what Canadians are missing

With the notable exception of social security checks, the only thing being collected in mailboxes across the country these days is dust.

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Until the dust settles on the strike of 55,000 Canada Post employees that began on Nov. 15, it’s a waiting game as the busiest time of year for letter and parcel traffic fast approaches.

While the surge in e-commerce, email and rival delivery services has battered and beaten Canada Post — $748 million in losses in 2023 alone and $3 billion since 2018 — the strike is still creating chaos amid the holiday rush.

Everything from the delivery of old-school bill payments to Christmas packages to the “I’ve been good” wish lists that children send to Santa is at stake. Time is of the essence. The week after Black Friday is traditionally the busiest of the year for Canada Post, with two million parcels shipped every day.

What’s the strike all about?

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Employees walked off the job on Nov. 15.

They’re asking for a 22 per cent pay hike over the next four years, along with improved benefits and clarity about issues involving part-time staff.

Additionally, the union is concerned with how Canada Post is choosing to deal with weekend parcel delivery as it tries to keep pace with competitors that include FedEx and Amazon.

On the wage front, Canada Post has countered by offering an 11 per cent jump in pay.

So far, bridging the gap on the numerous issues has been a bridge too far. A special mediator appointed by Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon left the negotiating table Nov. 27 because the sides weren’t closed on the most critical issues.

Canada Post has confirmed it had laid off some full- and part-time employees during the strike, arguing that the conditions of their employment had changed due to the dispute. Union lawyers have countered that the move represents an unfair labor practice.

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MacKinnon has said that binding arbitration, an act that would force employees back to work, is not an option at this point.

That’s not going over well with business leaders.

On Nov. 28, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce delivered a harshly worded letter to MacKinnon and Public Services Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, demanding action because the postal strike was having a “considerable impact,” particularly in rural and northern areas.

The letter, also signed by leaders of chamber of commerce leaders from across Canada, said the dispute was having a “disproportionate impact” on small businesses.

Chief among the concerns are supply-chain issues.

What’s the history of Canada Post work stoppages?

In 2018, postal workers staged a series of rotating strikes across Canada lasting 31 days until the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau forced them to return with back-to-work legislation on the eve of the holiday season.

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The government also delivered back-to-work legislation following a 15-day strike by Canada Post employees in November 1997.

A dispute in June 2011, involving strikes and a Canada Post rotating lockout of employees, ended after 13 days.

How much mail does Canada Post deliver?

The number has been declining since 2006, with approximately 2.2 billion letters delivered in 2023.

Canada Post has also been crushed by the boom in Canadians using other low-cost delivery services. In terms of e-commerce, Canada Post’s market share has dropped to 29 per cent from 62 per cent in 2019.

Should the strike go on much longer, Canadians may have little choice but to use other carriers to ship their most precious cargo to ensure delivery before Christmas.

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The union for Purolator, a subsidiary of Canada Post, has said it won’t deal with mail that originated with the crown corporation. The company, however, has said “we expect that our network and service will not be impacted.”

FedEx and Amazon have said they won’t be adversely affected by the Canada Post strike.

Many rural communities, however, have limited access to other delivery services.

What about social benefit checks?

While regular mail delivery has stopped, exceptions with continuing service include Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan and Canada Child Benefit payments.

“Canada Post and its bargaining agents have agreed to deliver specific social benefit checks on a set date,” the Canadian Revenue Agency website says. “This means that during this disruption, only checks for the CCB (Canada Child Benefit) and any related provincial and territorial programs, as well as the Alberta child and family benefit (ACFB), will be delivered.”

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The production of all other benefit, credit and rebate checks will continue during the strike and “checks that cannot be delivered will be securely stored until the situation is resolved.”

Should the postal strike continue, it would affect payments to CRA, including installments due on Dec. 15.

What about getting passports in time for holiday travel?

It’s not a good time for those waiting for travel documents to be delivered. Unless customers paid for pick up at ServiceCanada locations, passport delivery will be delayed. Those in urgent need of their new passports are asked to call 1-800-567-6868 or to visit ServiceCanada locations to have their files transferred to be picked up.

Can you still send letters to Santa?

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Children across the country are ho-ho-holding their breath because the 40-year tradition of Canada Post accepting and then sending back — oops, of Santa sending back — between 1.2 million and 1.5 million letters is in jeopardy.

Canada Post originally set a Dec. 6 deadline to have the Dear Santa wish lists completed. If the strike ends in time, they’ve promised to push Santa into hurry-up writing mode.

Of course, in the year 2024, there are email options to get messages to the North Pole. They include EmailSanta.com, SantaChatter.com, TrueNorthPole.com and SantaOnline.net.

Keep in mind that, unlike Santa, a return to normal business won’t be accomplished overnight.

Canada Post guarantees that, even when the strike ends, “it may take some time” for normal service to resume.

-KEN WARREN, OTTAWA CITIZEN

[email protected]

X: Citizenkwarren

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