Cape Breton business, organizations prepare for possible postal strike

As Cape Breton businesses and organizations brace for a potential Canada Post strike starting Friday, preparations are underway to mitigate any disruptions that may occur. Tracy Stubbard, owner of Tracy’s Rolling Yarn Shop in Sydney, N.S., is one of many small business owners who rely on the postal service for delivering goods to customers.

Stubbard, who operates a mobile business catering to knitting enthusiasts in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, expressed concerns about the impact of a strike on her operations. She typically ships knitting supplies to customers using Canada Post, utilizing flat-rate boxes to keep shipping costs down. However, she acknowledged that sending smaller items like a single skein of yarn in a letter-sized envelope can be a more cost-effective alternative.

With cruise passengers often seeking locally sourced hand-dyed yarns as souvenirs, Stubbard emphasized the importance of a reliable postal service to facilitate these transactions. She shared her annual shipping expenses of approximately $2,000 through the Canada Post outlet in Dominion, highlighting the convenience and affordability of the postal system for her business.

The looming strike threat stems from ongoing negotiations between the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post management. Demands for improved pay and clarity on weekend work arrangements have been key sticking points in the labor dispute. While Canada Post has made a new offer to the union, CUPW is reviewing the proposal before making a decision on potential strike action.

In anticipation of a possible disruption in postal services, Stubbard mentioned resorting to private courier services during the previous strike in 2019. However, she noted that this alternative was costlier and required additional time and effort to transport goods between her location in Dominion and Sydney. Despite the inconvenience posed by a strike, Stubbard remains hopeful for a swift resolution to avoid any prolonged disruptions to her business.

The impact of a postal strike extends beyond small businesses to public institutions like the Cape Breton Regional Library. As regional librarian Lisa Mulak explained, the library’s mail-out service, which dispatches around 7,000 books monthly to borrowers across Nova Scotia, would be affected by a strike. The library’s collaboration with Canada Post through discounted book rates has enabled broader access to library resources for rural and remote communities.

Mulak emphasized the positive working relationship between the library and the postal service, underlining the efficiency and reliability of Canada Post for their operations. She expressed optimism for a speedy resolution to the labor dispute to minimize any disruptions to the library’s essential services.

Similarly, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality relies on Canada Post for various administrative functions, including issuing tax and water utility bills. Spokesperson Christina Lamey highlighted the challenges posed by a potential postal strike, particularly with regards to water bill distribution. Residents are advised to contact 311 for alternative billing and payment options in the event of a disruption in postal services.

As Cape Breton businesses and organizations adapt to the possibility of a Canada Post strike, contingency plans are being put in place to ensure minimal impact on operations. The resilience and adaptability of local businesses and institutions will be tested as they navigate the uncertainties of a potential labor dispute in the postal sector.