(MENAFN) Mail services across the country have ground to a halt after thousands of Canada Post workers walked off the job in a nationwide strike. The disruption began on 25 September, shortly after the federal government unveiled a sweeping overhaul of the Crown corporation, prompting outrage among postal employees.

Canada Post confirmed that it has shut down operations during the strike, which means mail and parcels will not be delivered. Millions of Canadians are affected, with the postal service no longer accepting new items and suspending service guarantees for anything already in the network. Despite the halt, government-issued social security cheques will still be delivered.

Passport applications will continue to be processed, and applicants can request to pick up documents in person if necessary.

The strike was triggered by a federal announcement authorizing major structural changes to Canada Post. These reforms include the phase-out of door-to-door mail delivery for about four million households, a shift from air to ground transport for non-urgent mail, a reduction in delivery days, and the closure of some post offices located in areas that are no longer considered rural. Additionally, Canada Post will be granted more leeway to increase postage rates. The changes are part of an effort to address the long-term financial challenges faced by the postal service amid declining letter mail volumes.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), which represents the striking employees, called the reforms a “direct assault on our public post office, the public's right to participate in political processes, and good, unionised jobs across the country.” The union has warned that the measures will result in major job losses and reduced access to postal services, particularly for vulnerable communities.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has defended the changes, stating that “significant changes” are necessary to ensure the long-term viability of Canada Post. The postal service echoed that concern, warning that the strike “will further deteriorate Canada Post's financial situation.”

This is not the first time tensions have boiled over between the union and Canada Post. Last November, a weeks-long strike over pay and working conditions ended only after the government ordered workers back to their jobs. Many of those issues remain unresolved, and contract negotiations have continued in the background.

With the strike now in full effect, Canadians are being advised to expect delays and make alternate arrangements for essential communications and deliveries.

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