Many consumers and businesses are worrying about the impact a potential strike or lockout of Canada Post employees could have during the holiday season.
Either way, the disruption could affect mail deliveries during the holiday season, which is something Corinne Pohlmann, executive VP of advocacy at the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, says Canadians need to plan for.
“If it is about delivery services, then look at alternative delivery services,” she told The Epoch Times in a phone interview.
Pohlmann said many small businesses have already expressed concern about shoppers not wanting to make purchases because of potential delivery problems.
“I would encourage consumers to still consider shopping at small businesses, even if they think that maybe the product that they’re selling may not get to them in time. Talk to them, because they may have alternatives. They may find other ways to get that product to you,” she said.
On Nov. 14, CUPW told The Epoch Times in an email statement that it is still at the bargaining table.
“We have strong negotiators who know the issues. CUPW’s goal is to get a negotiated collective agreement,” the statement said.
CUPW said the issues were wages, health and safety, retirement, and expanding services.
“CUPW members have given us an overwhelming strike mandate and we are still looking at our options of how a strike will look.”
The two parties have been bargaining for almost a year. Canada Post’s latest contract offer included an 11.5 percent annual wage increase over a four-year period. It also offered protections for benefit pensions of current employees, job security, and health benefits. However, the union turned the offer down.
Some alternatives for Canadians to consider include courier services, such as Purolater, which told The Epoch Times it is preparing for an increase in demand.
“We have been monitoring the situation and have contingency plans in place to manage a possible increase in volume and expect that our network and service will not be impacted,” the company said in a statement emailed to The Epoch Times.
“The agreement ensures government financial assistance delivered by mail will reach seniors and other Canadians who rely on it,” the website said.
The next cheques are expected on Nov. 20.
Pohlmann said many businesses also use cheques for vendors and will need to consider alternatives.
“If it comes to things like payment, think about if there other ways that you can get your customers to pay you,” she said, adding that e-transfers can work for smaller amounts.
