Canada Post strike enters fourth week after union sends counter-proposals to mediator

As the Canada Post strike nears it’s fourth week, some businesses like Edmonton’s Hobby Wholesale had their regular private courier services paused this week over an increase in demand.

By Carly Robinson, and The Canadian Press

If you are still looking for that perfect gift for under the tree, it may be time to plan for an in-person shopping trip.

As the Canada Post strike approaches it’s fourth week, courier services, like Purolator and UPS, are showing signs of stress.

“There is a lot of unique product in here, and that’s what makes it appealing on the online market,” said Lyndon Kendrick, the owner of Hobby Wholesale.

Over 20 per cent of sales at this Edmonton hobby store happen online, but Thursday, the courier they use, e-shipper, was ordered by UPS and Canada Post-owned Puralator to pause pickups to try and work through the backlog.

“It’s going to snowball. They are already running beyond capacity this time of year and when you back it up a couple of days, there is just going to be that much more that has to pile in on Monday or Tuesday.”

Federal mediation was put on hold last week due to the sides being too far apart.

This week the Canadian Union of Postal Workers said it sent new counter-proposals to the mediator in the hopes that talks can resume, which Canada Post said it’s reviewing.

Calls for government intervention have been mounting from the business community, but so far the government has said it’s not stepping in.

The federal government has intervened in other high-profile labour disputes recently, including the ports, using a controversial section of the law to get the labour board to order binding arbitration.

Some of the sticking points for the union include wage increases, as well as a push to expand into weekend delivery, with the two sides in disagreement over how to staff the expansion.

But the uncertainty has some businesses bracing for bigger holiday crowds, and charities like the Salvation Army, are hoping shoppers are generous.

“A very significant portion of our donations come through the mail every year. We’ve come to depend on that way of receiving our donations, and so many of our donors, that’s the most comfortable way for them to make a donation. To write that cheque, to put it in the mail,” said Al Hoeft, Public Relations, Salvation Army, Prairies & Northern Territories Division.

But with the countdown to Christmas, some businesses are pausing shipping or putting surge prices to cover the more costly couriers.

While others like Hobby Wholesale say staff are working as hard as they can to find alternatives.

“It would be nice to see Canada Post get back in the game and I think within a week it could alleviate some of the stress, but it’s not going to fix it. It’s too late. This year has been impacted beyond reversal,” said Kendrick.

-With files from the Canadian Press

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today