Canada Post Strike Disrupts Mail Delivery in Orillia, Highlights Deep Divisions Over Service Future
Orillia, ON - A nationwide strike by Canada Post workers is impacting mail delivery in Orillia, as a dispute over contract negotiations and the future of the postal service intensifies. While union leaders argue the strike is necessary to protect service levels,some long-time employees express concern over the financial hardship and believe compromise is essential.
The unrest has been building for over a year and a half, beginning with rotating overtime bans and informational flyers before escalating to a full walkout last week. Union representative Mike Cormier stated,”We want to work. We want to service the people of Orillia,” but warned that service cuts will worsen if their concerns aren’t addressed. He accuses Canada Post of refusing to negotiate in good faith and failing to present a comprehensive offer. “Honestly, we don’t know what Canada Post’s game is at this point,” Cormier said.
However, not all postal workers support the strike action. Veteran employee Cid Casciato,with 20 years of service and eight years stationed in Orillia,voiced strong opposition. “I’m just here to get my $50 strike pay so I have some income so I can eat,” casciato explained. “I think we should be working. The strike isn’t going to do us any good, and we’ll never make this money back. the union doesn’t consult with us; they just go and do it.”
Casciato even expressed support for some of the government’s proposed reforms, including the implementation of community mailboxes and weekend delivery, stating, “It makes sense. You have to keep the company up to the times. Right now its behind the times.” He described the financial and emotional toll of the strike, saying, “Both financially and emotionally, I’m in the dump… If I could talk to the minister right now, I’d say just order us back to work. You’re going to do it anyway.”
Canada Post, in a statement released Friday, places the blame for the strike on the canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). The corporation cites $5 billion in operating losses since 2018 and claims the union’s proposals would add $700 million annually in new costs. Specific criticisms include demands for increased paid personal days, restrictions on contracting out, and maintaining letter carrier pay even during periods of low mail volume. Canada Post maintains its commitment to “reaching negotiated agreements… that are affordable, support our people and help build a sustainable future for the company.”
Cormier counters these arguments, alleging internal waste and mismanagement within Canada Post, pointing to a “top-heavy” executive structure, underutilized vehicle fleets, and a perceived effort to prioritize business for Purolator, a majority-owned subsidiary. “We have a conflict of interest problem,” he asserted.
the strike is creating a visible divide within the Orillia community, with residents expressing both support and frustration as they pass the picket line on Mississaga Street. Cormier hopes the public will recognize the long-term implications of the dispute. “It’s really tough right now as we’re fighting for things for Canadians,” he said. “I don’t think people will see it until it’s gone. And once it’s gone, we all know it’s really hard to get back.”
