WELLINGTON COUNTY – With negotiations at a standstill once again, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has announced its intent to strike on May 23.
Last year’s strike began Nov. 15 and lasted for 33 days before the federal government intervened and the strike was paused on Dec. 17.
After a failed negotiation attempt in March, negotiations resumed again on April 30.
After nearly two weeks of negotiating, Canada Post announced it would be pausing negotiations to “reset discussions and focus on resolution.”
As of May 19, CUPW sent a strike notice to Canada Post, stating its intent to strike on May 23 at 12am.
“We’re urging both parties to work through their differences and avoid any disruption that would throw the operations of hundreds of thousands of Canadian small businesses in further jeopardy,” stated Canadian Federation of Independent Business president Dan Kelly in a press release.
“If an agreement cannot be reached, government needs to use its legislative authority to maintain operations while it implements emergency reforms to address the long-term future of Canada Post.”
According to Kelly, last year’s postal strike cost small companies over $1 billion in revenue.
“More than three-quarters (79%) of small business owners rely on Canada Post services to do business,” said Kelly.
In a May 19 statement, Canada Post officials said the postal service would continue to deliver social assistance cheques for the month of May and live animals will still be shipped.
“Canada Post and CUPW have agreed to continue the delivery of socio-economic cheques during any upcoming labour disruption, for eligible and participating government organizations,” reads the statement.
“It is also the season for shipping live animals.
“A process is in place to ensure these deliveries continue during a labour disruption, however, no new shipments will be accepted in affected areas.”
The Advertiser was unable to obtain additional comment from CUPW officials prior to deadline.
