Small businesses have no sympathy for striking Canada Post employees

By Mike Vlasveld

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is looking for solutions for its members, as Canada Post strikes continue to cost them thousands of dollars.

Vice President of National Affairs for the CFIB Monique Moreau told 1310 NEWS' The Rick Gibbons Show, it's a sensitive time of year with Black Friday and Cyber Monday upcoming, followed by the rest of the Christmas season.

Listen to the full conversation:

Many small businesses, especially in rural areas, rely on Canada Post.

She explained that a lot of business owners still pay each other by cheque as well, as they like to make sure they are leaving proper paper trails.

The rotating postal strikes have cost small businesses an average of $3,000 a month. That includes late payments and having to turn to alternative delivery methods. 

And Moreau added, those are not just retail businesses.

“We had a trucking company tell us that they, like most companies, are required to pay their fuel bill to Imperial Oil every day, and the cheques are being picked up but not being delivered,” she said. “Now their account is overdue and it's essentially shut them down as a trucking company.”

Business owners are frustrated. Moreau said business owners do not get salary bumps or pension unless they work to bring in more customers, so they are not feeling sympathetic for Canada Post workers walking picket lines. 

In the meantime, the CFIB is working to lobby the federal government to mandate Canada Post employees back to work, and businesses are looking to become less dependent on Canada Post. The CFIB VP said 65% of members plan to use Canada Post less in the future.

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