Important Update for Customers
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Canada Post operations will resume at 8:00 AM local time on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
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Expect initial delays as mail and parcels stuck in the postal network will be cleared first, prioritizing older shipments.
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Limited pickups and drop-offs will apply for the first 48 hours, and new items will not be accepted until Thursday, December 19.
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Canada Post has committed to stabilizing operations and providing updates on service timelines and capacity.
On Friday, November 15, at 12:01 a.m. ET, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) officially initiated a nationwide strike. During this period, Canada Post’s operations will come to a halt, suspending the processing and delivery of mail and parcels. Additionally, certain post office locations will be temporarily closed, and no new items will be accepted until the strike concludes.
Although Canada Post manages a significant portion of parcel deliveries across the country, we’ve taken proactive steps to keep your orders moving smoothly. In response to the strike, we’ve teamed up with trusted private carriers such as FedEx, Canpar, and Purolator to ensure your purchases arrive on time without interruption.
What Does this Mean for You?
We will continue to ship your orders out.
Most of our customers won’t be impacted by the strike and will receive their packages on time!
We are working with a wide network of shipping partners, providing you with multiple reliable shipping alternatives. We will select the best carrier based on your postal code to ensure that you continue to receive your orders in a timely manner.
However, there are certain regions that would be impacted by the Strike because Canada Post might be the only option for those remote areas.
That being said, please expect carrier delays as we enter into the holiday season with higher loads on Canada Post alternatives caused by the strike
Who will be affected?
Shipping to remote areas in Canada presents unique challenges, especially during disruptions like the current Canada Post strike. While we've partnered with private carriers such as FedEx, Canpar, and Purolator to maintain timely deliveries, it's important to note that in certain remote regions, these carriers may still rely on Canada Post for the final leg of delivery. This dependency could lead to delays, as mail and parcels are not being processed or delivered during the strike.
Regions likely to be impacted include:
- Northern Territories: Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, where alternative carriers have limited infrastructure.
- Remote Indigenous Communities: Areas where private couriers do not operate, heavily relying on Canada Post services.
- Rural Atlantic Canada: Isolated communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, and parts of Nova Scotia.
For customers in these areas, we recommend checking the status of your local post offices and considering alternative delivery destinations where feasible.
Our customer service team is available to assist you in exploring the best solutions to ensure your orders reach you as promptly as possible.
We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time and remain committed to providing you with the best possible service despite these challenges.
What if Your Shipments are with Canada Post?
We understand that some of your orders may currently be within the Canada Post system. If you've received a shipping confirmation indicating that your package was dispatched via Canada Post and it hasn't arrived yet, it's likely affected by the ongoing strike and is being held safe within a Canada Post location. During this period, mail and parcels are not being processed or delivered, and certain post offices are closed.
Once the strike concludes, all items within the postal network will be secured and delivered as swiftly as possible, following a first-in, first-out protocol. However, please be aware that it may take some time for processing and delivery operations to fully return to normal.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this disruption. Our team is committed to keeping you informed and ensuring your orders reach you promptly once services resume.
Impact on Small Businesses
The ongoing Canada Post strike has significantly impacted other courier companies, leading to service disruptions and challenges for small businesses.
Small businesses that depend on reliable shipping have struggled amid these disruptions.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) estimated that the Canada Post strike cost small and medium-sized businesses at least $76 million per day, totaling over $1 billion as of early December
Updates on Negotiations
December 16, 2024
Canada Post confirmed it will restart operations on December 17, 2024, focusing on clearing the backlog of mail and parcels delayed by the month-long strike. Workers will receive a 5% retroactive wage increase as part of the agreement. Labour Minister MacKinnon highlighted the urgency of resuming normal operations to minimize disruption for Canadians and businesses.
With workers returning, shipping services are expected to improve quickly and get back to normal.
December 14-15, 2024
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon ordered postal workers back to work after the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) concluded that further negotiations would not resolve the impasse. The board extended the current collective agreement until May 22, 2025, and ordered the strike to end immediately. Postal workers were instructed to return to work on December 17, 2024.
December 11, 2024:
Canada Post has rejected the latest offer from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), citing that the union’s demands would add over $3 billion in costs over four years, exacerbating the already significant financial losses the corporation faces. Since 2018, Canada Post has lost more than $3 billion, with 2024 marking its seventh consecutive year of losses.
Key Issues Negotiations
- Wage Increases: CUPW proposed a 19% wage hike over four years, including 9% in the first year. Canada Post countered with an 11.97% compounded increase over four years.
- Personal/Medical Days: CUPW is demanding 10 additional medical days on top of 7 existing personal days. Canada Post has proposed 13 multi-use personal days annually for flexibility.
- Staffing: CUPW wants contracted cleaning and support staff to become permanent employees, which Canada Post deems unsustainable.
- Modernizing Delivery: Canada Post is pushing for dynamic routing and seven-day delivery to adapt to growing e-commerce demand. The union has yet to engage on these critical updates.
Canada Post remains committed to negotiating fair agreements but stresses the need for cost-effective modernization to secure its future
December 10, 2024:
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers' nationwide strike has entered its 26th day, causing significant disruptions to mail and parcel deliveries across Canada. On December 9, the union proposed new terms focusing on wage increases and job security enhancements; however, Canada Post indicated that these proposals have not brought the parties closer to an agreement, noting that some union demands have intensified. Consequently, all mail and parcel processing and deliveries remain suspended, with certain post offices closed and no new items being accepted until the strike concludes. Private courier companies are experiencing increased demand, leading to longer wait times and higher shipping costs for consumers and businesses. Some international postal services have suspended mail acceptance to Canada due to the backlog. Customers are advised to stay informed through updates from Canada Post and the union, consider alternative shipping options for urgent deliveries, and plan ahead for long.
To stay informed about the latest developments, including areas affected by strike activities, please visit Canada Post's Negotiations Updates page. This resource provides up-to-date information on service disruptions and operational changes during the strike.
At ELFBAR, we’re dedicated to ensuring your experience remains as seamless as possible. If you have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact our team. Thank you for your continued trust and support!
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