Canada Post workers vote on contract, strike mandate

Members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have begun voting on a new five-year collective agreement and a strike mandate, with the ballot period running until May 30, 2026. The union's national demands include a $30,000 salary increase over the contract term, which would raise the median salary from $52,000 to $82,000 by 2030, along with enhanced pension benefits. A strike authorization vote is being held concurrently, raising the possibility of major service disruptions affecting 17 million Canadians if negotiations fail, with Parliament watching closely due to the postal service's critical role for rural communities and businesses. The previous strike in 2018 lasted 33 days and had an estimated national economic impact of $1.2 billion.