Manitobans bracing for looming Canada Post strike
Canada is potentially days away from a country-wide postal stoppage -- again.
The union representing Canada Post employees issued a strike notice, and Thursday could be the last day you get mail for awhile.
Here in Manitoba, this means shipping anything could cost more, take longer, and some rural customers may not even be able to get parcels.
The importance of mail
Storm Anderson thought her phone and wallet were gone for good after she lost them in February. However, she unexpectedly got them back in the mail on May 3.
She suspects someone found her belongings and dropped them loosely into a Canada Post letter box.
'I think that was pretty awesome that they'd do that, because I know that there was no postage on it, obviously,' she said.
'So, for them to do that just as a nice gesture. I'm very grateful to them.'
The impact of a strike
These types of gestures may be disrupted if Canada Post workers hit the picket lines.
It's the second time in six months as May 22 marks the end of the extension which sent postal workers back on the job last Christmas.
Amid the uncertainty, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce's Chuck Davidson says his organization and many other businesses are going digital and shopping for other shippers that may be more reliable -- even if it costs more.
'That's the difficulty that I feel Canada Post is in by any kind of a lengthy strike. What you're doing is you're opening up for a different competition, but you're also opening up that business,' he said.
'They're going to be looking elsewhere for how they how they move those goods.'
Small businesses may face struggles
In some cases, like a small rural business or customer in Manitoba, private delivery companies aren't a solution.
'They don't have the staff; they don't have the trucks. They, often rely on Canada Post for that last few miles,' said John Graham with the Retail Council of Canada's Prairies office.
There is still time for a deal to be reached as another offer from the employer is expected on Wednesday.
The union says negotiation sticking points are wage increases, changes to pensions, weekend delivery and the hiring of part time staff , adding that they fear Canada Post is being turned into a gig job, not a good government job with pay and benefits.
Canada Post says the corporation is in trouble and the union is resisting change.
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