Canada Post Workers Launch National Strike Over Door-to-Door Delivery Cuts

Canada Postal Workers Strike After Government Orders End to Door-to-Door Delivery A national strike by Canada Post workers began on Friday after the government announced sweeping changes to the national service, including an end to door-to-door delivery within a decade. The union representing postal employees described the proposed changes as an attack on its workers who have struggled to compete with private courier services. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) announced the strike late Thursday, citing the government's decision to phase out door-to-door delivery by 2030. Mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered during the strike, and no new items will be accepted. Canada Post operations will shut down nationwide as a result. "We are outraged and appalled by the governments order to dismantle our national postal service," said Mike Palecek, CUPW's national president. "This is an attack on our members who have dedicated their careers to serving Canadians." The government has argued that door-to-door delivery is no longer financially sustainable due to declining mail volumes and increased competition from private courier services. "The reality is that Canada Post is facing a significant decline in its core business," said a spokesperson for the Minister of Public Services and Procurement. "We need to adapt to changing market conditions and find ways to make our postal service more efficient and cost-effective." The proposed changes are part of a broader effort by the government to modernize Canada Post and reduce costs. The union, however, argues that the plan will result in job losses and reduced services for Canadians. "This is not just about jobs; it's about the kind of service we want to provide to our communities," said Palecek. "We believe that door-to-door delivery is an essential part of our national postal service." The strike marks the second time in 12 months that Canada Post operations have been disrupted by a labor dispute. The union has vowed to continue its fight against the proposed changes. "We will not back down from this fight," said Palecek. "We will keep pushing for a better deal for our members and for Canadians who rely on our postal service." The strike is expected to continue until further notice, with no end date in sight. The union has called on Canadians to support its efforts by contacting their elected representatives and expressing opposition to the proposed changes. Background: Canada Post has been facing financial challenges in recent years due to declining mail volumes and increased competition from private courier services. In 2018, the company reported a net loss of $138 million. The government has argued that the postal service needs to adapt to changing market conditions and find ways to reduce costs. Additional perspectives: A spokesperson for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) expressed support for the proposed changes, citing the need for Canada Post to become more efficient and cost-effective. A representative from the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) criticized the government's decision, arguing that it will result in job losses and reduced services for Canadians. Current status: The strike is ongoing, with no end date in sight. The union has vowed to continue its fight against the proposed changes, while the government has expressed a commitment to modernizing Canada Post and reducing costs. *Reporting by Theguardian.*