Canada: Postal workers plan rotating strikes nationwide beginning Nov. 15

Unionized Canada Post employees could launch a nationwide campaign of rotating strikes as early as 12:00 Nov. 15 unless labor leaders reach an agreement with management in an ongoing dispute over salaries and working conditions. Unless averted, the labor action could impact individual and business customers of Canada Post across the country; it remains unclear how long such a strike might last.

According to authorities, if the strike proceeds, Canada Post will continue to operate, although customers in areas affected by the labor action will likely experience mail and parcel delivery delays. Canada Post anticipates that work stoppages will impact specific locations for specific periods of time on a rotating basis; nevertheless, such rotating shutdowns could produce ripple effects across the Crown corporation's network. A similar campaign of rotating strikes that began on Oct. 22, 2018, continued for slightly over a month, producing a significant nationwide mail delivery backlog. Canada Post and CUPW, the union representing the postal workers, have agreed to ensure that government financial assistance and other socio-economic checks will be delivered normally.

Striking workers could stage picket protests near Canada Post facilities across the country. Heightened security and localized transport disruptions are possible near any protests that may materialize; however, significant confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement officers are unlikely.