Toronto, November 24, 2024 – The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling on the federal government to intervene immediately and put an end to the ongoing Canada Post strike.
“It has been a week since the strike began, and there is still no resolution in sight. While we hope that both parties can reach an agreement through collective bargaining, reports indicate they remain ‘far apart.’ Our economy and small businesses simply cannot withstand another week of postal disruptions,” said Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President of Advocacy at CFIB. “Small businesses, particularly those in rural areas, are already seeing a drop in sales, missing payments, and scrambling to find alternative delivery solutions as the busy holiday season approaches.”
According to CFIB, 75% of small businesses report that a postal strike is negatively impacting their operations, with nearly 80% of these businesses still relying on Canada Post to conduct their day-to-day transactions.
CFIB has been gathering real-life examples of how small businesses are being affected by the strike. These include:
- A print shop in British Columbia that works with thousands of artists, many of whom are small business owners, experiencing order cancellations due to customers being unable to find alternative shipping options.
- A retailer in Manitoba that ships at least one package a day through Canada Post and whose orders from suppliers also rely on the service.
- A wholesaler in Ontario that relies on Canada Post to ship coffee, with approximately 90% of their business now at risk as they enter their busiest time of the year.
CFIB is urging the federal government to either enact back-to-work legislation or mandate binding arbitration to resolve the dispute swiftly, allowing small businesses to finish the year strong without further disruptions.
“While we are hopeful for a quick resolution, we encourage Canadians to support local small businesses this holiday season. Small Business Saturday, on November 30, is an excellent opportunity to shop locally and show your support. Despite the challenges, small businesses have shown resilience and innovation, and they will continue to serve their customers to the best of their ability,” Pohlmann added.
FAQs: Canada Post Strike and Its Impact on Small Businesses
1. Why is Canada Post on strike?
The Canada Post strike, which began in November 2024, is the result of ongoing disputes between the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post over issues such as wages, working conditions, and job security. The union and the company have been unable to reach an agreement through collective bargaining.
2. How long has the Canada Post strike been going on?
As of November 22, 2024, the strike has been ongoing for one week. There has been no resolution reached yet, and the situation remains tense as negotiations continue.
3. How is the strike affecting small businesses?
Small businesses, especially those in rural areas, are experiencing disruptions in their ability to ship products, receive supplies, and conduct transactions that rely on Canada Post. Many are facing delays in payments, cancellations of orders, and difficulty fulfilling customer orders, particularly as the busy holiday season approaches.
4. What percentage of small businesses are affected by the strike?
According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), 75% of small businesses are negatively impacted by the Canada Post strike. Additionally, nearly 80% of these businesses still rely on Canada Post for shipping and receiving goods.
5. What specific examples have small businesses shared about the strike’s impact?
A print shop in British Columbia working with artists has seen order cancellations due to customers unable to find alternative shipping methods.
A retailer in Manitoba, which ships products daily via Canada Post, is facing delays and disruptions.
A wholesaler in Ontario, which ships coffee, has reported that 90% of their business is at risk during their busiest time of year.
6. What is the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) doing about the strike?
CFIB is urging the federal government to intervene by passing back-to-work legislation or ordering binding arbitration to end the strike and allow small businesses to continue their operations without further disruption. CFIB is also encouraging Canadians to support small businesses, especially on Small Business Saturday, November 30.
7. How can Canadians help small businesses during the strike?
Canadians are encouraged to shop at local small businesses, particularly during events like Small Business Saturday, which takes place on November 30. Despite the challenges, small businesses are striving to serve their customers, and support from the public can help them weather the disruptions caused by the strike.
8. What is CFIB’s stance on the strike?
CFIB is advocating for a swift resolution to the strike to minimize its impact on small businesses. While the organization hopes for a resolution through collective bargaining, it is also calling on the federal government to take action if necessary, to ensure small businesses are not harmed further.
9. What will happen if the strike continues?
If the strike continues without a resolution, small businesses will likely continue to experience delays, lost sales, and operational challenges, especially as the holiday season ramps up. CFIB has called on the federal government to step in and mediate a solution, which could include back-to-work legislation or binding arbitration to end the work stoppage.
10. How can I stay updated on the Canada Post strike and its impact on small businesses?
To stay updated on the strike and its effects, you can follow CFIB’s website and social media channels. CFIB is actively monitoring the situation and releasing updates about the strike and how it affects small businesses across Canada.
