More than a month into rotating strikes by Canada Post workers, uncertainty looms for both employees and businesses relying on the national postal service. Helen Karrandjas, a postal worker in Toronto, expressed her frustration over the ongoing situation. "For now, everything is 'business as usual' for workers," she said. Karrandjas noted that the impact of the strikes has been "quite negligible" so far. However, she understands why customers are anxious as the holiday shopping season approaches.

"At this point, honestly, as a postal worker, I do not want to see any of my customers' parcels get trapped in the mail system with a late strike," Karrandjas added. She mentioned that the unpredictability of the strikes makes it difficult to anticipate what will happen next.

The rotating strikes have largely avoided major urban centers, allowing most Canadians to continue sending mail and parcels. Karrandjas stated that workers check the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) website daily to see which locations are affected. Despite the ongoing strikes, she has not yet participated in one.

CUPW initiated a nationwide strike in late September after the federal government announced significant changes to Canada Post, including the potential end of home delivery for four million addresses and the lifting of a moratorium on closing rural post offices. The union, representing 55,000 postal workers, transitioned to rotating strikes on October 11, which restored mail service in many areas.

While workers in parts of Quebec and Ontario have ceased delivering flyers, they continue to deliver addressed mail. However, Santo Ligotti, a spokesperson for the Retail Council of Canada, highlighted the "inconsistencies" in the strikes, which have led to "significant variability" in delivery services across the country. He stated, "This effectively means that service is unreliable and causes considerable frustration for both retailers and Canadian consumers."

Negotiations between CUPW and Canada Post resumed this week after a month-long hiatus. The two parties have been working on a new collective agreement for over a year and a half. Last year, a strike and lockout during the busy holiday season lasted more than a month, only ending when the labor minister intervened. CUPW and other unions argue that the government's use of Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, which mandates workers return to their jobs, infringes on workers' rights.

Canada Post has not turned a profit since 2017 and reported a $1.3 billion loss last year. The corporation is projected to lose $1.5 billion this year, relying on a $1 billion government loan. CUPW has suggested that Canada Post may be exaggerating its financial difficulties.

The recent federal budget mentioned Canada Post only briefly, indicating plans to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act to allow the corporation to set postage rates. CUPW has long supported this change, arguing that low stamp prices contribute to the corporation's financial struggles.

In September, CUPW rejected a government offer of a 13 percent pay increase, stating it did not meet their demand for a 19 percent increase. While the union expressed willingness to negotiate on issues like weekend delivery and part-time positions, they claimed Canada Post walked away from discussions.

A Canada Post spokesperson stated that the corporation is committed to reaching a settlement and recognizes the importance of providing certainty for employees and Canadians.

Gilles LeVasseur, a professor at the University of Ottawa, commented that the rotating strikes may not be beneficial for the union and could harm Canada Post's reputation. He noted, "It just frustrates the public, or frustrates Canada Post and indirectly the government. And then you get people actually choosing to go somewhere else."

LeVasseur also indicated that layoffs are likely as the government implements planned changes, but Canada Post needs time to determine the financial implications and the number of jobs to cut. He believes job security will be a crucial point in negotiations moving forward.

"What Canada Post is going to do is try to get a deal, and then they're going to make cuts," he said. "They're not going to do cuts or reorganization until they close a deal."