What you need to know about a potential Canada Post strike

Canada Post workers could go on strike at midnight Friday, disrupting mail services for the second time in six months. 

The Crown corporation says it has received a strike notice from the union representing some 55,000 postal workers, which could halt deliveries for millions of residents and businesses across the country. Here's what you need to know:

Can I still send and receive mail?

That depends on the type of strike. 

If the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) initiates rotating strikes, Canada Post intends to continue delivering in unaffected areas and working to minimize service disruptions. 

In the event of a national labour disruption, Canada Post says starting Friday, mail and parcels will not be delivered until the strike is over. In that case, new items would not be accepted until the strike ends, while those already in the system would be "secured" but not delivered, Canada Post said in a statement.

WATCH | Canada Post workers serve strike notice:

What we know about Canada Post workers’ strike notice

13 hours ago

Duration 4:09

Canada Post has received a strike notice from the union representing some 55,000 postal workers. As CBC’s Clara Pasieka reports, workers plan to walk off the job at midnight on Friday.

What if I still need to send something?

Canadians can use private courier companies like FedEx, UPS, DHL and Purolator — which is a subsidiary of Canada Post — to deliver mail and packages. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft also offer local parcel delivery in some cities. 

A FedEx spokesperson told CBC News the company hopes a resolution is reached between Canada Post and CUPW, but that it has a "comprehensive contingency plan" to manage a potential increase in demand triggered by a strike..

Amazon has previously said Canada Post only delivers "a small percentage" of its packages. 

Will I get my assistance cheques?

Canada Post says an exception will be made for social assistance cheques.

"Canada Post and CUPW have agreed to continue the delivery of socio-economic cheques during any upcoming labour disruption, for eligible and participating government organizations," the corporation said in a statement. "The agreement ensures government financial assistance delivered by mail will reach seniors and other Canadians who rely on it."

This is similar to the last strike in November and December, when Canada Post and the union agreed to continue delivering assistance cheques, including Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, the Canada Child Benefit and Canada Pension Plan. 

The other exception will be made for deliveries of live animals, though Canada Post says no new animals would be let through during a strike. 

WATCH | Canada Post to meet with union Wednesday:

Canada Post, union to meet Wednesday as strike looms

7 hours ago

Duration 17:09

Canada Post spokesperson Jon Hamilton says the company will meet with the union representing Canada Post workers this week, as a Friday strike looms. The union says it will pause the potential strike if the corporation makes an offer before then. CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant tells Power & Politics the union would take two weeks to look over the offer.

What about banking?

Several Canadian banks have been reminding customers, as they did during the last strike, to switch to online statements and e-banking to manage bills and other banking communication.

A Scotiabank spokesperson told CBC News on Tuesday that the bank is reminding its clients about the possible service disruption and providing advice on how to minimize the impact, including switching to e-statements.

How will this affect small businesses?

Jasmin Guenette, VP of national affairs with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, says 80 per cent of the country's small businesses rely on Canada Post for their daily operations, including shipping goods, invoicing and receiving payments, and that private couriers can be more expensive. 

"It would be really unfortunate, to say the least, if there's another strike at Canada Post," said. 

Guenette says the previous, 32-day strike — during the holiday season, a peak shipping time — cost small businesses more than $1 billion due to lost revenue and sales, and having to use more expensive shipping options.

WATCH | Concerns over looming strike:

Canada Post strike notice brings worry over cost and sales, small business owner says

10 hours ago

Duration 5:30

Calgary small business owner Thomas Barnicki says essential items like shipping labels his business uses via Shopify from other outlets like UPS have already increased in cost after Canada Post received a strike notice. Barnicki worries continued tension will affect economic growth for small businesses across Canada.

Wasn't the last strike resolved? 

The last strike ended when the federal government ordered employees back to work under their existing contracts, which were extended until May 22 to allow the bargaining process to resume. 

Those contracts are now ending, and the union is still in disagreement with the corporation on several issues, including worker pay, benefits, pensions and Canada Post's intent to hire part-time workers for weekend deliveries instead of paying overtime for weekend shifts.