The Canada Post strike is now on its 12th day as the busy Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend approaches.
The postal service stated on Tuesday that it is down over 11 million parcels since the strike began.
“The impacts continue to be felt across the country, hitting small businesses, charities and remote communities the most,” stated Canada Post spokesperson Phil Rogers.
“We remain committed to reaching new agreements at the bargaining table, and talks will continue with the support of the special mediator.”
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) said this round of bargaining has “been an all-out attack on the rights and benefits” of postal workers.
In an email statement shared on Tuesday, the CUPW said Canada Post began laying off striking workers over the weekend and that it still hasn’t reinstated benefits and disability programs for workers.
“Canada Post says it wants flexibility, but what it really wants is the flexibility to hire lower-wage, part-time workers, reduce worker benefits, and create a second-class workforce,” reads the statement.
The Crown Corporation said its proposal to offer seven-day-a-week delivery, which has been a key bargaining issue, would allow it to grow its parcel business.
It added that its proposals would also create new regular permanent part-time jobs with schedules, giving temporary employees the opportunity to become permanent, with guaranteed hours and benefits.
Over 55,000 Canada Post employees began the nationwide strike on November 15.
Some of the employee demands include wage increases in line with inflation, the inclusion of cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) in the basic wage rate, an increase in short-term disability payments, an additional 10 days of paid medical leave, improved group benefit plans, paid meal and rest periods for employees working five hours or more, job protection against technological change, improved staffing, better rights for temporary employees, and work cessation for pregnant and breastfeeding employees.
“We all know that once workers lose rights, it’s incredibly hard to get them back,” said the CUPW.
“This is not how a Crown Corporation should treat its workers. Canada Post should be setting the standard, not engaging in a race to the bottom.”
Services like the delivery of Canadian passports have been affected by the strike.
Small businesses have also been affected. In a LinkedIn post on Tuesday, Shopify vice president of public affairs Alexandra Clark called on the federal government to intervene.
“At least 67,000 Shopify-powered small businesses depend on Canada Post, especially during Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend,” she stated. “Canada Post’s monopoly on P.O. box deliveries and rural routes means these businesses have no alternatives.”
Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke was slammed earlier this month for criticizing the postal service’s striking employees.
Last week, Canada Post reported a $315 million loss before taxes in its third quarter.
You can read to learn more about how your mail has been affected, or, if you need an alternative postal service, Purolator is offering Canadians major discounts during the strike.
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