‘We can only bear so much on your behalf’: Postal strike a strain on some local businesses

As picket lines form again, postal workers say they just want a fair deal. But many small businesses say they just want reliable delivery.

Canada Post workers are once again on the picket line.

This time, it’s in immediate response to demands from the federal government to dramatically reduce service and shrink management.

Union officials say they just want a fair deal.

But many small businesses tell CTV News they just want delivery reliability.

An estimated 2,500 postal workers in Calgary are now on strike—action taken after Ottawa’s call to end door-to-door delivery within nine years.

The government also called for the closure of some rural post offices and changes to the expected delivery time frame—it will now take longer for mail delivery.

“We know small businesses are the engine of the economy, and we want Canada Post to be there for them. And we will provide a service if Canada Post can provide us with a contract that we can ratify,” said Wycliffe Oduor, CUPW Local 710 president.

For some local businesses, the strike is adding a real strain.

“Now we have to talk to our customers—explain what’s going on. Some of them are going to be frustrated—they are going to want us to refund them or cancel their order,” said Ellie Pickett at Kent of Inglewood/Knifewear.

Having been through this last November, the store has a backup plan to use more expensive shippers.

“We want to support the Canada Post workers and the union, but you’ve got to understand, we can only bear so much on your behalf,” Pickett said.

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce is also calling for a swift end to the strike.

“This comes at a time where small businesses’ resilience is really being tested. And many are already thinking about the holiday season and being able to bring in shipments,” said Ruhee Ismail-Teja, vice-president of policy at the Chamber.

When postal workers went on strike last year, the estimated hit to Canadian small businesses was more than $1 billion.

This strike also affects the upcoming civic election.

The voter information card was sent out earlier this week, but many never arrived at their intended addresses.

Info about where to vote can be found online at electionscalgary.ca.

And for mail-in ballots, these will be couriered to voters by request, but voters will have to pay for it to be returned.

Election day is Oct. 20.