Canada Post has been served a strike notice by the union representing over 55,000 postal workers, raising the likelihood of a nationwide service disruption by the end of the week — the second such shutdown in the past six months.
According to the Crown corporation, the union has notified management that workers intend to begin strike action at midnight on Friday.
Talks had resumed in late April with help from a mediator after breaking off in March.
With contracts set to expire tomorrow (Thursday), both sides say they’re committed to a resolution, but the union warns that new proposals could come only after the release of a report by Commissioner Kaplan.
A potential work stoppage would disrupt mail and parcel delivery for millions of Canadians and businesses, who rely on the postal service for over two billion letters and approximately 300 million packages annually.
In November of last year, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers issued a similar 72-hour strike notice to Canada Post, affecting both urban and rural bargaining units, with no mail delivery over much of the holiday period.
On Nov. 18, a special mediator was assigned to negotiations, however any progress was limited to minor issues.
