Mail and package delivery has ground to a halt as CUP-W’s 55,000 workers across the country walked off the job at midnight.

In a statement as the strike began CUP-W said, “Canada Post had the opportunity to prevent this strike, but it has refused to negotiate real solutions to the issues postal workers face every day. Instead, Canada Post left us no choice when it threatened to change our working conditions and leave our members exposed to layoffs.”

Officials added; “Our demands are reasonable: fair wages, safe working conditions, the right to retire with dignity, and the expansion of services at the public post office.”

In response to the walk-out, Canada Post suspended all service. Mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered for the duration of the national strike. Some post offices will be closed. No new items will be accepted until the national disruption is over.

The strike will affect business across the country.

“Neither Canada Post nor the Canadian economy can afford for this to continue. When will our politicians admit that the present system isn’t working and fix it?” said Perrin Beatty, the president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce on social media.

Charities are also worried about the stoppage.

“This is heartbreaking timing. So much of what we do in the non-profit/charity world depends on how much money we can raise in the next six weeks,” said Sam Laparde, a fundraising consultant. She urged people to consider online donations.

There was support for the work stoppage from other unions across the country, including the National Farmers Union which issued a statement saying rural communities depend on reliable postal service, as a right and not a privilege.

“Canada Post is more equitable, affordable, and reliable than private alternatives, especially for rural and remote areas. Its employees deserve proper wages, working conditions, and benefits for the work that they do,” said NFU Board Member Matthew Wiens.

“While the strike is disruptive, the long-term impact of not having a well functioning Canada Post would be far greater. A negotiated settlement to this dispute will strengthen rural postal service,” said Wiens.

Many community newspapers, including The Independent, are delivered via Canada Post. Gordon Cameron, the executive director of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association, says a strike will have an impact to them.

“Delivering through Canada Post is often the only viable distribution option for local newspapers. Without that service, communities are much less informed than they should be,” he says.

The Independent delivered the Nov. 14th edition to local post offices Wednesday. Should the strike continue, The Independent has partnered with local businesses, libraries and municipal governments, who have allowed us to place our newspapers in their spaces for pickup by our subscribers.

If you were unable to receive your newspaper this week, please contact our office at 226-738-0728 for alternative delivery. See the list below for Nov. 21 pick up locations should the strike continue.