Mail delays stir fresh anxiety as Canada Post workers push back against overtime

While there is no Canada Post strike underway yet, service across the country could be delayed after the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) announced a national overtime ban late Thursday, May 22.

Canada Post confirmed on Friday that operations will continue. However, the agency warned customers to expect delays as CUPW’s directive limits all workers to eight-hour shifts and a 40-hour work week.

Also read: Canada Post workers to strike on Friday amid financial freefall


“At this time, there are no rotating strikes or national work stoppage,” Canada Post said in a statement.

Labor tensions flare again as overtime ban hits deliveries
The current standoff began after Canada Post and CUPW met Thursday evening to continue contract negotiations. That meeting, however, lasted less than half an hour.

A Canada Post spokesperson acknowledged that the discussion “was unfortunately not enough to demonstrate meaningful progress.” The union’s frustration escalated quickly, and CUPW responded by initiating the immediate overtime ban.

In its own statement, CUPW said the nationwide action would apply to all members and aimed to protect worker rights without halting the country’s mail system entirely.

Postal workers are pushing back against schedules that often demand long hours to keep up with rising parcel volumes. Many have complained about burnout, insufficient compensation, and stagnating workplace conditions in recent years.

Also read: Is Canada Post on the verge of shutting down? Here's what Commissioner William Kaplan says

Strike still possible if talks fail to progress
Though CUPW has not yet called for a nationwide strike, the union had previously served notices to Canada Post warning of planned strike activity starting Friday.

If such a strike materializes, Canada Post has said it would immediately stop accepting new items, and mail and parcels would no longer be delivered until the disruption ends.

The last time the two sides clashed, in late 2024, the intervention of the Canada Industrial Relations Board forced a return to work. That agreement expired on May 22, reigniting tensions at the negotiating table.