The national postal disruption that began in late September has entered a new phase, with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) now carrying out rotating strikes.
Since October 11, postal employees have stopped work in select regions on a rolling basis rather than through a full nationwide walkout. The move allows some mail and parcel delivery to continue while the union maintains pressure on Canada Post and the federal government.
Canada Post is gradually restoring operations where possible, though interruptions continue to shift across the country. With the rotating strikes in place, services pause intermittently in affected areas and resume elsewhere. The corporation has suspended all delivery guarantees and continues to warn customers to expect delays. A significant backlog remains from the earlier shutdown, and the postal network is only slowly returning to normal levels of activity.
The transition to rotating strikes followed a meeting last week between CUPW leaders and federal officials, including Minister of Public Services and Procurement Joël Lightbound, who oversees Canada Post. That discussion appears to have influenced the union’s strategy, leading to a more flexible approach that sustains public visibility while avoiding a complete work stoppage. CUPW National President Jan Simpson says locals are being notified in advance when their regions will be affected.
Talks between Canada Post and CUPW continue, but little progress has been reported. Canada Post’s “best and final offer” was rejected by the union, and federal mediators remain involved in an effort to bridge differences over delivery models, job security, compensation, and long-term postal reform. Negotiations have been ongoing since late 2023, and both sides remain far apart on key issues.
Within the stamp-collecting community, concern remains high. Dealers, auction firms, and small businesses that depend on mail service for sales and correspondence are again facing uncertainty. The Canadian Stamp Dealers Association has warned that prolonged disruptions could have serious effects on the hobby and its supporting industries, which rely heavily on predictable delivery times.
As rotating strikes continue, the question now is whether federal intervention will eventually be required. Ottawa has so far resisted calls for back-to-work legislation, though business and consumer groups are pressing for a quick resolution. Binding arbitration under the Canada Labour Code remains a possibility if negotiations stall. For collectors and dealers alike, a stable postal system remains essential to keeping Canada’s philatelic and mail-based communities connected.