Okay, fellow direct mail fundraisers: there’s postal strike news.

December 18th update: Direct mail is back up and running – kind of, mostly.
As expected, the CIRB found that Canada Post and CUPW were at an impasse. So, as of 8 AM yesterday, postal workers were back at work, with plans to resume talks with new mediation.

If you had mail that was inducted right before the strike, that’s Canada Post’s first priority. They’re starting by clearing the network – unlike past strikes, where that mail took a backseat.

If you had appeals printed, ready, and waiting, they’ll get picked up after December 19th, pending your lettershop’s processes (they also have a massive backlog!). And, if you’d been holding onto a mailing that’s ready to print, we say: all systems go!

TLDR: Mail delivery looks likely to resume mid-next week, and we expect it to take about 4 weeks to get the system back up-and-running. If your mail’s been hanging out at Canada Post these last 4 weeks, look for it about a month after CUPW returns to work. If you’ve been holding off on production, hop to it!

The nitty-gritty (as of December 13): Given that Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) haven’t been able to come to an agreement, the case is being sent to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB).

If CIRB finds that the two parties are at an impasse, postal workers will be called back to work. Current contracts will be extended to May 2025, Canada Post and CUPW will continue to work together to find a solution, and a review of Canada Post’s management is being conducted.

What does this mean for you? That mail service will likely resume next week. We anticipate that it’ll take some time for the system to get fully running once again – up to 4 weeks, based on our sources.

But, it’s key to know here that this isn’t binding arbitration. This is new territory for a very unique strike situation, and we’re expecting it to continue to be a fluid one, especially as CUPW has denounced the move.

As fundraisers, we’re glad to hear that direct mail is likely to restart, to get lovingly-donated dollars to the charities, and causes, that depend on them. We’re hopeful that the Canada Post review and ongoing negotiations will yield a deal that protects postal workers’ rights and strengthens the institution of Canada Post that we all, clearly, rely on.

That’s what we know right now. When we learn more, you’ll know it. Stay tuned for more details!