Latest news with #CanadaPostStrike
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Small business owners brace for possible Canada Post strike
It was business as usual at The Comic Hunter in downtown Moncton Tuesday and business is pretty good these days. The Comic Hunter The Comic Hunter in Moncton says they are concerned about another potential Canada Post Strike. (CTV Atlantic/ Derek Haggett) But the possibility of another strike from Canada Post could slow down a portion of their sales. Store manager Rémi Vienneau LeClair said they ship a lot of online orders every day. 'The parcels will ship between Canada Post and UPS and FedEx and whatever is going to get their fastest for cheapest, but Canada Post wins a lot,' said Vienneau LeClair. Last week, unionized workers from Canada Post rejected the latest round of offers from their employers. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said on Friday that their roughly 55,000 members shot down the Canada Post's latest proposal in a vote. That deal would have seen wage hikes of about 13 per cent over four years. Canada Post workers went on a month-long strike over peak shipping time during the holiday season in 2024. Vienneau LeClair said if they do go on strike again, The Comic Hunter's saving grace is the fact that every store doing what they do is in the same boat. 'Letter mail stops,' said Vienneau LeClair. 'No one is buying a $5 card and paying $20 to send it parcel. So it does affect us, it does slow us down a little bit, but the customers realize it's happening and they know there's very little we can and they can do about it.' A potential strike could also impact an artisanal chocolate shop just down the street from the comic book store, but in a mostly different way. LaRouère Chocolat co-owner Robin Streb said she uses Canada Post for shipping, all of their Canada Revenue Agency documents and they receive their credit card bills through the mail as well. Robin Streb LaRouère Chocolat co-owner Robin Streb. (CTV Atlantic/ Derek Haggett) Streb said they've paused their shipping for the summer, so that aspect of their business won't be harmed, at least not right now. 'If it were to continue on into the fall we would have to start looking at what our options are other than Canada Post for shipping our products,' said Streb. During the last strike, Streb found a lot of paper work was getting mixed up and coming very late. 'For us, as a small business, we're our own accounting department. So the bookkeeping became quite a disaster,' said Streb. 'Next time I'll have to keep more on top of things or find a different way.' That could mean going paperless, staying on top of payments and making more phone calls. 'We're going into a move to a new location right now, so there's other expenses coming up. Of course we're very preoccupied with that. So, the simpler, the better for us,' said Streb. Corinne Pohlmann, executive vice-president, Advocacy for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said Canada Post is a very important service for small business owners who use it for many different reasons. 'However, given all the uncertainty seen over the last year, strike again, maybe strike, maybe not striking, whatever, this has become much more difficult as a service to be relied on. So many small businesses have been starting to turn away from Canada Post,' said Pohlmann. Web sales at The Comic Hunter went down around 25 per cent over the holidays last year, so another work stoppage, no matter the season, is a concern for Vienneau LeClair. 'We warn customers that it will ship when it ships. Offer them the parcel option if they want one, but obviously it's a lot more,' he said. With files from the Canadian Press Canada Post Canada Post retail location on St. George Street in Moncton. (CTV Atlantic/Derek Haggett) For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Canada Post strike could boost logistics and fintech stocks as delivery delays spark investor shifts
A Canada Post strike is most definitely a labour and distribution issue, but for smart investors this strike is also a chance to spot early trends, test company resilience and even uncover hidden opportunities in the investing market. Whether you're new to investing or already building a portfolio, here's what to watch — and how to position yourself during a postal disruption. When Canada Post workers strike, the deliveries of mail and packages slow down or stop altogether. That means: Delayed shipping for online orders Higher delivery costs for small businesses A rush to find alternative shipping options These hinderances can also spark investing opportunities for savvy investors. The disruption in package and mail delivery means that other companies can benefit — and this cn be an opportunity for investors willing to action, while being mindful of risks. For investors, they is to keep an eye out for signals regarding which companies are prepared, and which ones might struggle. To help, here are trends to watch: When Canada Post isn't running, there's a spike in demand for private courier and delivery companies. Companies like Purolator, FedEx (NYSE:FDX), UPS (NYSE:UPS) and TFI International (TSX:TFII) often fill the gap. Even Cargojet (TSX:CJT), which specializes in overnight air cargo, could benefit. If you're investing in logistics, now is a good time to watch stock prices for delivery companies, they might rise on increased demand; look at quarterly earnings to see if volume spikes during a strike; consider ETFs or mutual funds that include logistics or transportation holdings. Postal delays can also push more people — especially seniors or small businesses — to move away from paper cheques and bills. That could help digital-first companies grow faster. Investors can look at: Payment platforms like Nuvei (TSX: NVEI) Companies that power online banking and pay systems ETFs with exposure to fintech and digital finance These shifts take time, but a strike often gives people the push to go digital, and that's good for companies in the space. If you're invested in retail or e-commerce companies, a postal strike can test how well they handle disruption. Examine publicly traded companies using the following lens: Can they offer local pickup or use other couriers? Will they raise prices or eat the extra cost? Do they have loyal customers who'll wait, or will shoppers switch brands? Retailers with good logistics plans — like Walmart, Canadian Tire or Loblaws — may do better than smaller sellers that rely on Canada Post for deliveries. A postal strike can also tell us something about the bigger economic picture, especially inflation. If shipping costs go up and delays stretch on, it can raise prices and frustrate shoppers. That affects: Consumer confidence Retail sales Stock performance in sectors like consumer discretionary or e-commerce If you're watching inflation-sensitive areas (like REITs, utilities or banks), keep an eye on what the federal government and central bank does, in particular, what sectors will they boost or support through ongoing funding. One of the best ways to grow as an investor is to watch how companies handle challenges. A postal strike is a real-time stress test. Use this time to: Track how businesses communicate with customers Watch for innovative solutions or tech upgrades Look for stocks that hold steady — or bounce back quickly — while others drop These signs can help you build a stronger, more confident portfolio over time. Even if your portfolio has nothing to do with Canada Post, a strike is still worth paying attention to. It highlights important themes that can impact all companies, and highlight businesses well positioned to grow in the short or long-term. For beginner to intermediate investors, it's a chance to learn how real-world events affect the markets, and how you can use those events to your advantage. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Inicia sesión para acceder a tu cartera de valores
CBC
30-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Potential Canada Post strike means companies are bracing for business impacts
A national Canada Post strike isn't out of the question as the corporation and the union representing 55,000 workers remain in talks. A strike in November halted delivery for businesses like the East Coast Quilting Company in St. John's, and owners Read Bowen and Debbie Northover say another disruption would cause even more problems.
CBC
23-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
B.C. business owners brace for second Canada Post strike
Social Sharing B.C business owners are facing the financial difficulties of another Canada Post strike, after postal worker unions delivered a strike notice to the company on Monday with plans to strike on Friday. Emma May, owner of womenswear store Sophie Grace Designs, sells the bulk of her merchandise through online orders. However, when Canada Post strikes, she says she can't reach customers in rural areas. "We service customers all over the country, we service them into the states too but that's a whole other issue with tariffs," she said. "It's a big deal," she told CBC's The Early Edition. May says that during last year's Canada Post strike, business owners in B.C. had to deal with the port strike at the same time – this year, it's tariffs. "It's not cool that businesses here are looking at this again saying, 'Why are we going through this again?'" When Canada Post workers go on strike, businesses must turn to private courier companies if they want to ship their goods. Typically, the couriers cost more than Canada Post. Canada Post workers striked for 32 days starting in November 2024, but the government ordered them back to work on Dec. 17. Both the workers and company were told to come to a new agreement by May, but that hasn't happened. May, who sells suits, silks and other higher-priced items, says her business can afford an increase in shipping. However, many of her business colleagues who sell items ranging from $10 to $30 will be heavily impacted. Connally McDougall, the owner of another Vancouver-based clothing company, said she is not surprised to hear about the strike notice because postal workers did not get the changes that they were asking for during the previous strike in November. WATCH | Small businesses brace for Canada Post disruption: How should the federal government respond to this next round of the Canada Post labour dispute? 2 days ago Duration 1:28 David MacDonald, a senior economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, says Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals could take a different approach from Trudeau's Liberals, who intervened in the previous Canada Post disruption in December of 2024. Speaking to BC Today host Michelle Eliot, MacDonald says Canada Post could look at improving its strategy instead of laying off workers to manage its dire financial situation. McDougall's brand, Connally Goods, focuses on size and gender inclusivity and sells the majority of its items online. Using alternative shipping companies, such as UPS, FedEx and Purolator not only cost more money, but the logistics of switching over also costs her time. "Sending a parcel to New Brunswick used to cost maybe $15 and now it's $22 because I have to use an alternate provider," she said. "We do need Canada Post." Tariffs don't affect her business as much because her products are locally sourced and made, but, the time spent keeping updated on postal strikes and having to educate customers on service delivery is costly. McDougall says that some couriers are now charging an extra $2 per domestic parcel due to higher demand created by the Canada Post strike notice. "I can't blame them, if anything I hope it incentivizes the corporation to make an agreement that's fair." Fiona Famulak, president and CEO of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, says that shipping disruptions, caused by the postal strikes and recent port and rail disruptions, create "unreliability in our supply chain." In a press release B.C.'s Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction said that it is taking steps to ensure that those who are receiving disability or income assistance from the province will still receive payment during the Canada Post strike. In another press release, the Surrey Board of Trade and the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce called upon the Canadian government and Canada Post to collaborate on a long-term solution that protects both service and workers' rights. Canada Post presented a new offer to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers on Wednesday, which it says includes a 13.59% increase in wages over four years for current Canada Post employees. Also under the new offer, future employees, who are hired after the new collective agreement is signed, will receive health and pension benefits after six months of regular employment. CUPW has said it is reviewing the offer, but noted Wednesday that the offer is "short of our last demand for a 19 per cent increase to members' base wages to keep pace with the rising costs of living."
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Small businesses anxious about possible Canada Post strike
The manager of an Alberta clothing store says small businesses are feeling anxious as a strike deadline nears for thousands of Canada Post workers. Erin Primrose says she has been frantically preparing to send out shipments from Thelma & Thistle in Lethbridge using alternative delivery services. About 55, 000 members of the Canadian Union Of Postal Workers are set to go on strike shortly after midnight. The union says the latest wage increase offer from the postal service falls short. Canada Post says it's already seeing mail volumes decline and is pushing for an urgent resolution. Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, says many business owners already struggling with uncertain times are stressed about the possible labour disruption. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2025. Fakiha Baig, The Canadian Press
