After a month-long strike, Canada Post is working to clear its backlog of deliveries before Christmas. Postal workers returned to work after the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered them back, and the network is now fully operational. The postal service expects most parcels to be delivered before Christmas, with new international mail being accepted starting on Monday. While there might be delays that could last into early next year, Canada Post hopes to return to normal delivery standards by early January.
During the holiday season, Canada Post is prioritizing letters to Santa Claus, with all letters mailed by Dec. 23 being guaranteed direct delivery. The Santa Letter Program has been a part of Canada Post’s operations for 40 years, with millions of letters delivered to the North Pole. The strike that occurred in November involved over 55,000 postal workers who were seeking wage increases, better pensions, and improved health benefits. The Canada Industrial Relations Board intervened at the request of Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon to order workers back to work, extending the existing collective agreements until May 2025 and offering a five percent wage increase.
Post offices will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. Canada Post is gradually returning to full-service levels and normal delivery standards, with deliveries being made this weekend in some select cities. The company acknowledges that there may be delays but hopes to resolve any issues and provide consistent service in the new year. Despite the controversy surrounding the end of the strike and the terms of the collective agreements, Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are working to address any violations of the agreement and find a resolution to the situation.
Canada Post is preparing for the holiday season by prioritizing important mail such as letters to Santa Claus and ensuring that parcels are delivered on time before Christmas. The strike that occurred in November caused disruptions in the postal service, but with the return of workers and the full operational network, Canada Post is working to clear the backlog of deliveries. While there may be continued delays in the coming weeks, the company aims to return to normal delivery standards in early January and plans to continue accepting new international mail starting next week. The union representing postal workers is challenging the government intervention that ended the strike and is seeking to address violations of the collective agreement through a national grievance process.
Overall, Canada Post is focused on providing timely and efficient postal services during a busy holiday season. By prioritizing important mail, making deliveries on weekends, and addressing any operational challenges that arose from the strike, the postal service is working to ensure that parcels and letters are delivered in a timely manner. The resolution of the strike and the extension of the collective agreements provide stability for both postal workers and the company, allowing them to focus on providing quality service to customers. As the holiday season approaches, Canada Post is committed to fulfilling its obligations and meeting the needs of the public while also addressing any issues that may arise as a result of the strike and the subsequent return to work.
