Canada postal workers strike after government orders end to door-to-door delivery

"Postal workers in Canada have gone on strike after the government warned of an existential crisis and ordered sweeping changes to the national service including an end to door-to-door delivery within the decade. The union representing Canada Post employees described the proposed changes as an attack on its workers who have struggled to compete with a surge in private courier services."

"Joel Lightbound, the public works minister, said Canada Post has become effectively insolvent, even after lending the postal service C$1bn, adding that repeated financial bailouts were not a long-term solution for an organization that has lost more than $4bn since 2018. In its most recent quarter, Canada Post recorded its highest-ever quarterly loss of $407m. It provides an essential service to Canadians, and in particular to rural, remote and Indigenous communities, and Canadians are rightfully attached to it and want it saved, said Lightbound,"

"In an attempt to blunt the losses, the Canadian government, Canada Post's only shareholder, ordered an end to end door-to-door delivery of mail and to shutter a number of post officers. The crown corporation has been given 45 days to implement a restructuring plan. The union said it was outraged and appalled by the minister's comments. Throughout this time, Canada Post has done everything in its power to avoid real bargaining and has repeatedly relied on government intervention."

Postal workers in Canada have launched a national strike after the government ordered sweeping restructuring including an end to door-to-door delivery within a decade. Mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered and Canada Post operations will shut down during the strike, affecting millions of Canadians and businesses. The government, as sole shareholder, said repeated losses and insolvency require reforms after Canada Post recorded a record quarterly loss and more than $4bn in cumulative losses since 2018. Officials have given the crown corporation 45 days to implement a restructuring plan that includes closing some post offices. The union called the changes an attack on workers and criticized government intervention and bargaining failures.

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