More than 55,000 postal workers, represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), launched a nationwide strike on Nov.15 to fight for better working conditions.(Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

POSTAL STRIKE IMPACT

Chamber reaction: Postal strike in rural Sask. sparks concerns for businesses and holiday shipping

Nov 18, 2024 | 4:12 PM

As the ongoing Canada Post strike is disrupting rural Saskatchewan businesses and residents, the Battlefords Chamber leadership are concerned about the escalating challenges during the holiday season.

“Many businesses in more rural areas don’t necessarily have other choices for shipping, and if they do, they certainly cost us significantly more,” said Linda Machniak, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Battlefords Chamber of Commerce.

On Nov. 15, more than 55,000 postal workers, represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), launched a nationwide strike. This action followed a 72-hour strike notice issued on Nov. 12 after Canada Post and CUPW could not reach a negotiated agreement.

“After a year of bargaining with little progress, postal workers made the difficult decision to strike. Canada Post had the opportunity to prevent this strike, but it has refused to negotiate real solutions to the issues postal workers face every day. Instead, Canada Post left us no choice when it threatened to change our working conditions and leave our members exposed to layoffs,” CUPW said in a statement.

Their demands encompass fair wages, safe working conditions, the right to retire with dignity, and expanding services at the public post office.

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Machniak mentioned the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce plans to contact Jean-Yves Duclos, the minister of public services and procurement of Canada, to seek assistance in restoring postal service before the holiday season begins.

It’s not the first strike to setback local retailers. The recent rail shutdown from this summer came after failed negotiations between the country’s two largest rail companies. Machniak said due to such instability, the Saskatchewan Chamber has suggested Canada may no longer be a reliable trading partner.

“The reputation of Canada as a trading nation and as a nation that does business is going to be hampered if we’re not able to move products,” she noted.

She believes ongoing labour disputes will have a trickle up effect on the province’s trade overall.

“In Saskatchewan, in particular, we’re so dependent on moving our product to port or rail to countries south of us. And so delivery of products, whether it’s by the postal service or any of those other methods, is a big key to business, whether you’re small, medium or large, or persons, people that live in the community,” Machniak added.

To mitigate the challenges of the ongoing strike, the Government of Saskatchewan and its agencies have implemented contingency plans to minimize impacts last Wednesday, including advising the public to switch bill payment to direct deposit.

Although these alternatives may help ease service interruptions, she believes there is still uncertainty surrounding delivery. This is especially concerning for people wanting to send gifts or Christmas letters and for businesses planning to ship products.

“There may be other courier types or delivery services, but the challenge is that in many cases, that costs a significantly higher rate than the postal service.”

Looking forward, she hopes that an agreement will be reached soon between the two parties so that services can resume. She understands that delays will only cause further damages, resulting in larger issues that will negatively affect not just Saskatchewan but the entire national economy.

“We certainly don’t need more reputational challenges for the country in not being able to deliver products for business,” Machniak noted.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com