Postal Strike Imminent?
Several banking institutions and internet providers have issued warnings about the possibility of a postal strike. And online retailers like Amazon.ca, chapters.indigo.ca and Newegg.ca, are readying alternative shipping methods for their clients.
I believe all three retailers have a shipping option to deliver parcels to your local post office and some retailers also deliver to their stores. But many retailers have their own courier services so keep an eye on their sites and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers site for details.
Canada Post Strike?
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers have voted for job action if no agreements are reached by Sept. 26. I will keep an eye on the situation and will update this page asap.
Canadian Postal Strike Update
Although both parties have agreed to negotiate using a special mediator, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers will be in a legal strike position as of 11:59pm Sunday, August 28, 2016.
It appears that Amazon.ca, Banana Republic Canada, chapters.indigo.ca, Gap Canada, Jysk Canada, Newegg.ca
, Old Navy Canada, Sears.ca
and Staples are still using alternatives so people using those retailers should have few issues if a strike were to happen.
Canada Post Security Warning + Postal Strike Update
Canada Post has issued a warning stating that official looking emails have been circulating asking people to click on link for tracking information on parcels that are non-existent.
Clicking on this link results in the downloading of a virus so Canada Post advises people to copy and paste the tracking number of these parcels into the official site.
If you receive one of these emails and are not waiting for a package to be delivered, delete the email.
In regards to the possibility of a postal strike, the 30 day extension will end on the 8th of August and both parties are expected to enter into binding arbitration. The Union is planning a rally in Montreal on the 6th from Parc Saint-Alphonse to the Prime Minister’s constituency office on Jarry Street East.
Parcel Delivery Domino Effect
Purolator appears that have been overwhelmed by parcels and are having serious issues, according to Global News.
Many customers have reported being unable to track their packages, either online or via Purolator’s customer service. And some have reported significant delays when it comes to their deliveries.
Like Fed-Ex Canada, Purolator has also suspended some of their delivery guaranties temporarily so their customers will unfortunately not be compensated if their parcels are delayed. But UPS Canada customers will still be able to take advantage of some delivery guaranties, as described on their official site.
Hopefully Purolator will consider delivering more parcels on Saturdays to reduce their backlog. But until then i’d suggest the other courier services, or perhaps Canada Post… 😉
Postal Strike/Lockout Truce ?
Canada Post has withdrawn the 72 day notice and has agreed to a 30 day extension. But whether this will end with binding arbitration or not is still being debated, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers claiming they oppose arbitration in their latest statement.
This means that mail will be delivered today and until further notice. But I will post updates to this blog if need be.