Navigating Shipping Challenges During the CUPW Strike

On November 15, 2024, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) began a nationwide strike, halting all Canada Post services until December 16, 2024. With the strike now paused, current collective agreements have been extended until May 22, 2025, meaning no further disruptions can happen until then.

That said, while efforts are ongoing to reach a long-term resolution, there’s still a possibility of another disruption as early as May 22, 2025.

At GlobalPost, we recognize the concerns that come with this uncertainty. We’re here to help you stay informed, plan ahead, and be ready for whatever comes next. We’re doing everything we can to support your shipping needs and keep things running as smoothly as possible.

Impact on Canadian shipments

A potential nationwide strike would disrupt all mail and parcel services across Canada’s urban, rural, and suburban areas. If an agreement isn’t reached, packages currently in transit via Canada Post could face delays until the strike ends. Furthermore, shipments relying on Canada Post for final delivery, including those destined for P.O. Boxes and many rural locations, would be affected. Shippers to Canada should also anticipate potential surcharges or disruptions through other carriers due to shifts in shipping volumes.

Potential shipping delays

Although both parties are striving for a resolution, shippers must be aware of potential impacts. In the event of a strike, and in the period following its conclusion, significant delays are likely as Canada Post manages the resulting backlog. To protect your shipping schedule, taking proactive measures to mitigate these delays is strongly recommended.

How to prepare

To help you navigate potential Canada Post disruptions and maintain smooth shipping, consider the following key actions to plan your shipping strategy:

• Ensure Accurate Customs: Help prevent further delays and complications by providing correct and complete customs documentation for all shipments.
  • Add selling URLs to your customs details.
  • Add accurate descriptions for your products in your customs details.
  • Add First and Last names of the recipients, not business names in your customs details.
  • Add accurate valuation of your products to your customs details. Be sure to also add accurate details in your customs details.
  • Utilize our HS Classification tool for accurate tariff codes.
• Streamline with GlobalPost Plus: Enhance your customers’ experience by using GlobalPost Plus to handle taxes and duties upfront (Delivered Duties Paid – DDP). Ship with confidence to Canada and enjoy our advanced customs clearance process.
  Stay Informed: Bookmark this blog, our service updates page, and the Canada Post negotiations page to stay informed on real-time updates.
• Encourage Customer Awareness: Advise your customers to stay updated on the Canada Post situation and any related shipping advisories to manage their expectations.

How we’re managing during a strike

GlobalPost customers worried about disruptions to their shipping schedule are still able to ship parcels to Canada as usual. If the strike occurs, GlobalPost will reroute shipments through alternative networks that do not rely on Canada Post for final-mile delivery. While some delays may occur, our robust network supports the continued flow of goods, providing reliable alternatives to keep your business moving during these uncertain times. We are closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds.

Here’s how GlobalPost will mitigate the impact of the strike:  

• Alternative Carrier Networks: Leveraging partnerships with trusted carriers, we help support the successful delivery of your shipments to their destinations. This transition minimizes delays and avoids the bottlenecks caused by service interruptions at Canada Post.  
• Slight Adjustments in Transit Times: While we strive for seamless delivery, please note that transit times may be slightly longer as we optimize routes through alternative vendors.  

Our role in ensuring continuity

GlobalPost acts as a facilitator rather than the final-mile delivery provider. We coordinate with a network of carriers, ensuring your shipments are handled efficiently from origin to destination. This approach allows us to adapt to challenges like the Canada Post strike, ensuring your customers experience as little disruption as possible.  

We know that timely delivery is critical to your business success, and we’re committed to providing reliable solutions in the face of challenges. We’re devoted to sharing the latest information and helping you navigate disruption as we continue to monitor the situation closely. Stay informed by bookmarking this blog for quick and convenient access. If you have questions or need assistance, our support team is ready to help. 

2024 Updates

12/13/24

“It is my view, and the view of the FMCS, that the parties are at an impasse,” said 

Canadian federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon in a statement earlier today. The Labour Minister is now sending the labor dispute between CUPW and Canada Post to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) in an effort to resume Canada Post operations and get striking CUPW workers back to work. The resolution of the strike now requires CIRB to agree with MacKinnon’s assertion that the negotiations are at a standstill.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SHIPPERS?

Despite recent movements, this situation is still ongoing. Canada Post customers still cannot ship or print labels at this time, and will not be able to do so until an official announcement has been made. 

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?

If the CIRB agrees, MacKinnon says the Labour Relations Board will order Canada Post, and all employees represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, to resume operations and extend the terms of existing collective agreements until May 2025. 

Canada Post announced that they are reviewing the Minister’s announcement to prepare to participate as the situation progresses and comply with the directive. 
To stay updated on this developing story, check this blog or read the latest CUPW negotiation updates.

12/09/24

Effective, December 6, 2024, we are temporarily unable to deliver to certain postal codes in Canada due to the CUPW strike, as our network relies on Canada Post for delivery to these destinations. Customers should refrain from shipping to these areas through GlobalPost. We continue to accept shipments to Canada outside of these destinations. For the list of impacted postal codes, please contact our support team.

12/06/24

On November 27, 2024, USPS announced a temporary suspension of all Canada-bound shipments, across all mail classes, effective November 29, 2024, in response to the ongoing CUPW strike.

We recognize the impact these disruptions may have on your shipments. Shipments already in transit to Canada through USPS will be delayed. To continue shipping to Canada, we offer a variety of services, including GlobalPost Standard, Economy, and Plus, to support you during this time.

Regarding the CUPW strike, the situation is still evolving. On December 1st, Canada Post presented CUPW with a comprehensive framework in the hope of reaching negotiated agreements.