Canada Post Is on Strike: CUPW Rejects New Offer as Negotiations Continue (Oct 2025)

Friday, October 3, 2025: Canada Post has presented new global offers to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) aimed at ending the ongoing national strike. According to Canada Post, the new proposals “modernize operations while ensuring fairness” for employees.

CUPW has rejected the offer, stating that Canada Post “is not serious about bargaining,” calling the new terms regressive and warning that workers remain united for fair contracts.

Postal disruptions continue nationwide as the strike enters its second week, causing delays to Neighbourhood Mail, parcels, and addressed mail. Canada Post has confirmed that socio-economic cheques will still be delivered during the work stoppage.

PostNow continues to monitor developments closely and will update clients as soon as a resolution is reached. Businesses are encouraged to plan for delivery delays through mid-October.

Previous Updates (September 29, 2025, and earlier)

Monday, September 29, 2025, Canada Post services are once again facing disruptions following CUPW’s decision to launch a national strike without advance notice.

According to Canada Post’s official update (Sept 25, 2025), the strike is expected to cause widespread delivery delays across Canada. Negotiations are ongoing under the 2023–2025 Urban and RSMC collective agreements, but no resolution has been reached.

How This Hurts Small Businesses

The sudden, no-notice strike has effectively thrown small businesses under the bus. Retailers, service providers, and local organizations that rely on mail to reach their customers are left scrambling campaigns halted, deliveries stalled, and customers left waiting.

Solidarity actions by postal workers in one region have triggered stoppages nationwide, amplifying the impact far beyond the original dispute. Instead of protecting Canadian jobs, this move has punished communities and entrepreneurs who are already working hard to stay competitive in a tough economy.

PostNow’s Position

We stand firmly with Canadian businesses. Strikes of this scale and with so little warning don’t just cause inconvenience. They damage livelihoods by cutting off a vital channel for communication and commerce.

The reality is clear: when postal unions disrupt service without notice, it’s small businesses and their customers who pay the price. Canadians deserve a reliable postal system that works for them, not against them.

We will continue monitoring the situation and updating this page as new information becomes available. For now, plan for delays in neighbourhood mail, direct-mail campaigns, and parcel services.

Previous Updates (September 15, 2025, and earlier)

Monday, September 15, 2025, at 12:01 AM local time. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has announced that starting, postal workers will no longer deliver Neighbourhood Mail (unaddressed flyers and promotional mail). This action replaces the overtime ban that had been in effect since May 23, 2025.

Canada Post has confirmed it will stop accepting new drop-offs of Neighbourhood Mail at depots, plants, or post offices. Any Neighbourhood Mail already in the system will be securely held until further notice.

Mail & Services Not Affected

• Addressed mail: Personalized Mail, Postal Code Targeting, and Transactional Mail continue as normal.
• Parcels: All parcel services remain unaffected.
• Other Canada Post services: No impact reported at this time.

This means only unaddressed Neighbourhood Mail is suspended.

Impacts and What Businesses Should Do

If your marketing campaigns rely on Neighbourhood Mail, here’s how to adapt:

• Pause or reschedule upcoming flyer or unaddressed mail drops.
• Consider shifting campaigns to addressed mail products that remain active.
• Explore alternate marketing channels to avoid campaign interruptions.
• Reach out to PostNow.ca for guidance and campaign adjustments.

Timeline & Negotiations Context

• Ban begins: September 15, 2025, at 12:01 AM local time.
• Overtime ban ends: The Neighbourhood Mail ban replaces the overtime restriction in place since May.
• Negotiations: This escalation is part of ongoing bargaining between CUPW and Canada Post under the Urban & RSMC 2023-2025 agreements. CUPW members have rejected Canada Post’s “final offers” and continue to push for improved working conditions.

What Remains Uncertain

• How long the Neighbourhood Mail ban will last.
• How much backlog will build and how quickly it can be cleared once service resumes.
• Whether CUPW will escalate further if negotiations stall.
• Financial impacts on businesses relying on flyer distribution.

Is Direct Mail Still a Good Idea?

Yes! Direct Mail remains one of the most effective channels to reach Canadians, even with the current Neighbourhood Mail pause. Addressed mail products like Courrier Personnalisé et Ciblage Par Code Postal continue without disruption, offering precise targeting and measurable results.

Au PostNow.ca, we help businesses pivot their strategy so they can still engage their audience effectively. Whether it’s rethinking campaign timing, adjusting targeting, or shifting to addressed mail solutions, Direct Mail continues to deliver impact and trust.

Questions or concerns? Contact PostNow.ca to see how Direct Mail can still be leveraged for your business needs.