Canada Post says it will shut down regular mail service on May 23 after receiving a formal strike notice from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). The walkout is set for 12:00 am local time on May 23, the day after the current labour contracts expire.More than 55,000 letter carriers, plant employees, and rural couriers will be off the job unless a last minute deal is reached. CUPW wants a 24% wage increase over four years, stronger job security, and better health benefits. The money losing Canada Post has offered an 11.5% wage increase and says higher costs would threaten service in smaller communities..Talks broke off late last week, just before an Industrial Inquiry Commission report the union says favours management. A strike last November was stopped by back-to-work legislation in December, but the major issues between CUPW and Canada Post were never resolved.If May 23’s deadline passes, Canada Post will stop accepting new mail and parcels. Items already in the system will be secured until delivery can resume. Both sides say “socioeconomic cheques” for May will be cleared before any walkout, and essential payments such as pensions will still go out during the dispute..Businesses are bracing for delays that could slow online orders, bill payments, and government services. Consumers are being urged to use electronic invoices, private couriers, or simply wait until CUPW workers return to the job.Ottawa has not said whether it will intervene again, yet another shutdown would be the second in six months.Canadians who rely on Canada Post are advised to prepare now, because without a deal, mailboxes across the country will sit empty beginning on May 23.
