Lengthy delays for Canada Post international parcel deliveries

Canada Post has warned of lengthy delays for parcel deliveries during the peak holiday season and into the new year due to “unprecedented backlogs”.

The agency cites rotating strikes by Canada Post workers, which have just ended following back-to-work legislation. The federal government stepped in after months of unsuccessful contract negotiations, forcing workers back on the job just one day after appointing a special mediator.

Parcels were the worst hit, with delays for international deliveries expected to last until March 2019, while letter mail backlog is expected to clear before Christmas. The backlog was exacerbated by Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

Credit: Cris DiNoto

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has encouraged “non-violent civil disobedience” following the legislation, which CUPW president Mike Palecek described as “unconstitutional”.

For his part, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that while the government intervention was not ideal, “hearing from businesses, from Canadians right across the country, particularly as we approach holiday season, who are really feeling the negative impacts of this means that while we are continuing to hold out hope that there’s going to be a settlement, or an agreement at the bargaining table, we also have to do what’s responsible.”

Source: CTV News, Global News