Canada Post workers will likely strike beginning at midnight on Tuesday, officials say—a possibility that has some online sellers worried.
According to news reports, Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are still at odds over several issues, including pay for new employees and a new sick plan the union calls "inferior." The two organizations have been in negotiations since October, but have yet to reach an agreement, prompting Jessica Wirischagin, the president of a CUPW branch, to tell reporters the strike is "likely."
The government also seems to think the strike may happen. It sent out income-assistance checks this week—a week ahead of schedule—to ensure they would arrive on time. However, union members said they will deliver pension checks even if the strike does occur.
The idea of a potential strike is troublesome, says one seller in Auctiva's Community Forums.
"We ship using Canada Post, so this is a major hiccup in our operations, both for Canadian shipments as well as for U.S. shipments that are delivered on the U.S. side by USPS," the seller notes.
If the strike does happen, sellers could use other shipping services like UPS and FedEx to prevent delays, something this seller is already thinking of doing.
"We've put all of our orders on hold and will use UPS to ship out whatever orders came in this week, for fear that if shipped via Canada Post, the parcels will be abandoned in sortation facilities for the duration of the strike," the seller notes.
The union will need to give a three-day notice if it does intend to strike or implement a lockout, according to news reports. It is unknown how long the strike would last.
Auctiva staff writers constantly monitor trends and best practices of those selling on eBay and elsewhere online. They attend relevant training seminars and trade shows and regularly discuss the market with PowerSellers and other market experts.
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