As you may be aware, Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (“CUPW”) have been in contracts negotiations since late 2015 to reach a new agreement for about 50,000 workers. CUPW members are expected to have a strike vote sometime this month. If an agreement is not reached, the union estimates a strike or lockout date could come in early July.

In the event of a strike, please be advised of the following:

-UPEI Shipping/Receiving and Mail Services (“SRMS”) will continue to operate.

-Internal mail services will be unaffected.

-Mail destined for the Canada Post mail system will continue to be picked up at offices around campus and taken to SRMS where it will then be stamped and ready for immediate delivery to Canada Post at the conclusion of the labour disruption.

-CAUTION is advised. Should the delivery or your out-going mail be time sensitive you should consider using a courier service.

-At the faculty /department’s request, SRMS can prepare and send items normally shipped in the regular mail system via courier. Please note, as usual, all courier charges will be recovered from the department initiating the shipment.

-As is also the current practice, departments are free to initiate their own deliveries with the courier of their choice. Although significant developments will be provided via UPEI Marketing & Communications, it is the responsibility of each faculty/ department to ensure normal delivery of their mail item by monitoring decisions whether to use courier service or to use Canada post.

If you have any further questions or concerns, or if we can provide any further assistance in the event of a postal disruption kindly contact Matt Adams, Manager of Procurement & Payment Services, at (902)-566-0315 or by email at mradams@upei.ca