The union for striking postal workers called Canada Post’s locking out of workers “irresponsible” in a press release delivered via email last week.
The lockout will prevent postal workers from delivering pension and social assistance cheques, which CUPW had committed to continuing to deliver, the union said. On Monday the union issued another statement claiming it would deliver the cheques.
“There is now a considerable amount of mail in the system that will not be delivered,” reads last week’s statement.
CUPW expects the federal government to pass back-to-work legislation early this week.
Canada Post decided to suspend operations across the country after 12 days of “costly and damaging rotating strikes,” according to a Canada Post press release, also sent over email, which stated it had lost around $100 million by Wednesday last week.
“Canada Post and CUPW remain far apart on several fundamental issues and there has been no progress made at the negotiating table for weeks,” reads the release.
“We believe that a lockout is the best way to bring a timely resolution to this impasse and force the union to seriously consider proposals that address the declining mail volumes and the $3.2-billion pension deficit.”
Local businesses overcome postal challenges
As of last week, Countrywide Home Furnishings’ flyers have been delivered, but with the strike continuing, company President Ron Muller has concerns about summer promotions.
“We have a direct mail promotion forthcoming and of course it’s totally dependent on the circulars making their way into the households. So if Canada Post is on strike, that’s one promotion we’ve run in years’ past that’s been very successful that we’d have to shy away from.”
Countrywide does not depend on Canada Post for invoicing, as manufacturers use electronic invoicing, a change that occurred about two years ago. Some sub-trades in St. Paul, which do business with Countrywide and use Canada Post, could face invoicing challenges, Muller noted.
“We’re very much hoping for a quick resolve and that it turns into a win-win for all parties involved.”
The strike will affect locally-owned and operated MCSNet less than other companies that depend on Canada Post, said CEO and President Leo Van Brabant. Over 95 per cent of MCSnet’s customers receive emailed invoices and pay electronically by automatic withdrawal or credit card payment.
MCSnet charges $2 per paper invoice mailed to customers to cover costs, a system designed to limit mailing and staffing costs from processing invoicing paperwork.
“With strikes like this, they’re shooting themselves in the foot because more and more people are going to be automated,” said Van Brabant, adding the strike is pushing the company to look into a direct deposit system.
“It’s forcing businesses like us to eliminate Canada Post … That’s the way to me the industry is going, eliminating courier charges and mailing costs.”
