Over 55,000 postal workers took to the picket lines on Friday, Nov. 15 after labour disputes between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) went unresolved. Pressing issues for the strike include wage increases matching inflation, health benefits extending to fertility treatments and gender affirming care, paid medical leave, and an increase in short-term disability payments.
In a statement made on Friday, Nov. 15, CUPW cited the cause of the strike as Canada Post’s refusal to negotiate toward real solutions for problems postal workers face.
As Canada Post is a Crown corporation, the federal government has the jurisdiction to interfere. One of the ways the federal government can do this is through a back-to-work legislation, which will force postal workers off the picket lines. This legislative power was used against Canada Post strikes in 2011 and 2018, but Trudeau’s liberal minority government would need opposition support this time around.
Mail and parcels across Canada are not being delivered during the strike, and some Canada Post offices are closed.
Kiara Okonkwo is a writer and creative. She received a diploma in Screenwriting from Vancouver Film School and is pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Media and Communication Studies. Kiara values self-expression and authenticity.
