A potential strike by Postes Canada workers is set to begin Friday, impacting mail and parcel delivery across Canada. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) issued a 72-hour strike notice on Tuesday, with Postes Canada also notifying the union that day that postal workers would be locked out if no deal was reached by Friday.

The CUPW is seeking fair wages, safer working conditions, and the right for workers to “retire with dignity.”

“We are not just negotiating for ourselves, we are negotiating for the public, and for all workers,” explained Jan Simpson, CUPW National President, in a press release issued Tuesday.

As the deadline for a potential strike looms at midnight Friday, CTVNews.ca asked readers how it would affect them, and how they were preparing.

Impact on Rural Communities

People living in rural or small communities will struggle to deal with the disruption of mail delivery, pointed out Amanda Jeremy Chopping of Dubuc, Saskatchewan, a village of under 100 people.

Chopping says she frequently visits the post office and relies solely on Canada Post to ship everything, both for personal use and for her small business.

“I am at the post office at least once a week to track parcels, keep an eye on letters, or ship parcels,” she shared in a written response to CTVNews.ca, highlighting that this saves her time, so she doesn’t have to travel to her business location.

“It is convenient to pick up mail, parcels, or send things in the same place,” she added.

Chopping says she has had problems with private shippers after items were lost, damaged or dropped at the wrong place, and because she lives in a small town, there are few places private shippers can drop off.

Few alternatives, she says, offer “drop-off at the farm,” which she describes as an “off-the-beaten-track” delivery method.

Impact on Small Businesses

Many organizations and businesses also rely on Canada Post to ship their products.

Rachael Miller, a nutritionist, herbalist, and owner of Vancouver-based business Zhi Herbals, explains that her small business has shipped teas exclusively through Canada Post for five years.

“With the Canada Post strike and the holiday season coinciding, we expect the orders we ship to be delayed,” she wrote in an email to CTVNews.ca. “We are trying to prepare and minimize disruptions to our business by communicating often with our customers.”

Because of the potential disruptions, she indicated that her business has posted a notice about potential delays on its website and has emailed its customers to advise them to order early if they want to receive their packages before the holidays.

She hopes that if a strike does occur, it will be resolved quickly, which is why her business has not switched carriers.

Impact on Charities

Hope Mission, a non-profit organization in Edmonton, is encouraging people to donate online or by phone instead of by mail to avoid delays as it anticipates a large portion of its donations to arrive during the holiday season.

The charity provides meals, winter shelter and other programs to help the homeless.

“With the 72-hour strike notice issued by Canada Post, Hope Mission is preparing for potential disruptions to mail delivery, which could impact crucial donations needed to support Edmonton’s most vulnerable residents this winter,” the charity wrote in a press release this week.

No Impact on Some

However, some Canadians say the Postes Canada strike won’t affect them.

Steve Maidment of Cambridge, Ontario, questions the relevance of Canada Post in an increasingly digital age. He says he uses email and cellphone to communicate with people, and direct deposit for payments. He mostly purchases items from Amazon.

Beyond aspects of life already online, he notes that everything from health cards to passports could be digitized as well.

He wonders why Canada still has a postal service.

“We really don’t need it,” he wrote.

A Call for Action

The potential strike has sparked calls for action from both sides. The CUPW is calling for a negotiated settlement that will ensure the sustainability of the public postal service while addressing the everyday concerns of its members.

“Canada Post could achieve this vision without work stoppage, but they have to sit at the bargaining table to resolve our problems, both new and long-standing,” Simpson said.

Meanwhile, Postes Canada is asking customers to be patient and to check its website for updates on delivery times. The company is also urging customers to make use of its online services, such as its mobile app, to manage their mail and parcels.

The outcome of the strike remains uncertain, but it is clear that it will have a significant impact on Canadians.

Lessons Learned

The potential Postes Canada strike highlights the importance of having a reliable postal service, particularly in rural and remote communities. It also underscores the challenges faced by postal workers, who are demanding fair wages and safer working conditions.

The strike serves as a reminder of the value of public services and the need to ensure that they are adequately funded and supported. It also underscores the importance of negotiating in good faith and reaching a settlement that is fair to both workers and employers.

The Future of Postal Service

As the world becomes increasingly digital, it remains to be seen what the future holds for postal services. The Postes Canada strike may be a sign of the challenges that lie ahead, but it is also an opportunity to reflect on the importance of these services and to ensure that they are adapted to meet the needs of the 21st century.

What Canadians Can Do

Here are some things Canadians can do to prepare for a potential Postes Canada strike:

• Check your mail delivery schedule: Contact your local post office to see if your mail delivery schedule is affected by the strike.

• Sign up for online banking: If you haven’t already, sign up for online banking to avoid the need to use cheques or mail.

• Use email or phone to communicate: Avoid sending important documents or letters through the mail.

• Shop online: If you need to purchase items, shop online to avoid having to visit a post office.

• Consider alternative delivery methods: If you need to send a package, consider using a private courier or delivery service.

• Be patient: The strike may cause some delays, so be patient and understand that it may take longer than usual for your mail or parcels to arrive.

• Support workers: Show your support for the workers by contacting your local MP and expressing your support for fair wages and working conditions.

As the strike looms, Canadians are left wondering what the impact will be, and how their lives will be affected. The potential disruption to mail delivery services is a reminder of the importance of Canada Post to individuals, businesses, and communities across the country.

The outcome of the strike remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the impact will be felt by many.