With a potential nationwide postal strike looming, the Canadian Stamp Dealers Association (CSDA) is urging all parties involved in the ongoing labour dispute between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to reach a resolution before a possible strike begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 23.
In a letter dated May 16 and addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney, key federal ministers, Canada Post executives and CUPW leadership, the CSDA warned of serious consequences for small businesses and the philatelic trade if postal operations are disrupted. The association cited the impact of the 2024 strike – which lasted 32 days – as a cautionary example.
“Stamp dealers across the country rely on timely and reliable postal service to maintain their businesses, fulfil customer orders, and participate in both national and international commerce,” the CSDA wrote. “The fallout from last year’s disruption resulted in significant revenue losses, cancelled transactions, and eroded trust in the dependability of Canada’s mail system – especially during peak collecting periods.”
The CSDA called on all parties to act in good faith and pursue a fair and lasting settlement. While acknowledging the complexities of the current negotiations, the association stressed the need to protect small businesses and maintain continuity in one of Canada’s most essential public services.
“We are encouraged by the efforts of Mr. William Kaplan and the Industrial Inquiry Commission, and we hope that the recommendations outlined in his report will provide a clear path toward a sustainable agreement,” the CSDA added. “If no agreement can be reached voluntarily, the federal government must act to ensure the continuation of essential postal operations.”
LATEST OFFER FROM CANADA POST
On May 21, Canada Post presented a revised offer to CUPW’s urban and rural-suburban bargaining units. The proposal includes a 13.59 per cent wage increase phased over four years – six per cent in the first year, followed by three per cent, two per cent, and two per cent in subsequent years. It also proposes six personal days, enhanced short-term disability income replacement, and revisions to the corporation’s delivery model to improve financial sustainability.
However, the Crown corporation declined a CUPW request to delay strike action by two weeks to allow time for a full review of the proposal. CUPW has since issued formal strike notice, setting the stage for a walkout early Friday morning.
The union noted that Canada Post withdrew several contentious elements from its previous offer, including changes to health benefits, post-retirement coverage, and new employee pension plans. CUPW is currently analyzing the latest proposal, with a spokesperson stating that any agreement must “respect the needs of workers as well as the communities we serve.”
ONGOING DISAGREEMENTS
One major sticking point in the negotiations is weekend delivery. Canada Post has proposed hiring part-time staff for Saturday and Sunday shifts, while CUPW insists that full-time employees should be used to avoid a shift toward a gig-style employment model.
Canada Post spokesperson Jon Hamilton told CBC’s Power & Politics that months of discussions had produced no “meaningful changes” and confirmed that the company paused bargaining to consider recommendations from the Industrial Inquiry Commission. That report advised broad reforms to stabilize Canada Post’s operations, including ending daily door-to-door mail delivery to individual homes and lifting restrictions on rural post office closures.
Canada Post has posted over $3 billion in pre-tax losses since 2018 and is expected to report further losses this year. In January, the federal government announced over $1 billion in repayable funding to help the Crown corporation avoid insolvency.
PHILATELIC TRADE COULD SUFFER
The CSDA reiterated that the health of Canada Post directly affects thousands of collectors, dealers and auction firms across the country, and that continued disruption could irreparably harm the sector and many other small businesses.
“We urge you – government, management, and labour – to come together in good faith, with a shared commitment to safeguarding one of Canada’s most vital public services,” the association wrote. “The philatelic community — and many others — depend on it.”