Monday, December 9, 2024

Postal strike puts pressure on couriers to deliver

The ongoing Canada Post strike has left private couriers struggling to cope with backlogs caused by demand surges, severe weather conditions, and (in at least one case) striking postal workers blockading their delivery trucks. 

Purolator, UPS pause shipments from couriers amid backlog from Canada Post strike | CBC News | Alexandra Mae Jones:

December 6, 2024 - "Amid an influx of packages that would normally be sent through Canada Post, Purolator and UPS have paused shipments from some courier companies in order to catch up. Purolator told CBC News on Thursday that severe weather and a surge in package volumes prompted it to freeze service for some partners.... Couriers such as eShipper act as middlemen between smaller e-commerce businesses and large carriers. But now eShipper is among the outfits temporarily barred from sending packages through UPS and the Canada Post-owned Purolator.

"In a notice sent to clients on Thursday and obtained by CBC News, eShipper stated that 'no shipments will be processed or moved by these carriers' for 48 hours, starting Wednesday [January 11]. In a statement Friday, Purolator said that the timeframe didn't come from it and that 'this is a temporary measure that will be removed as soon as possible.' UPS did not respond to requests for comment.... 

"FedEx is also experiencing 'increased volume demands' amid the ongoing Canada Post strike, spokesperson James Anderson told CBC News in a statement Friday. To manage this, 'a temporary limit of five packages per drop-off has been introduced at FedEx retail locations,' he said."

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/purolator-ups-shipments-paused-1.7403127

Purolator, UPS freeze courier shipments as Canada Post strike drags on | CBC News: The National | December 6, 2024:

Striking posties blocking Christmas deliveries from Purolator plant | Western Stanard | Dave Naylor:

December 7, 2024 - "It looks like striking postal workers are doing their best to ruin Christmas for as many Canadians as they can. Posties have been pictured at a Purolator plant delaying trucks as they tried to get out.... The postal workers would block each departing van for several minutes before allowing it to pass. Purolator is owned by Canada Post.

"'Striking mail-monkeys from Canada Post are now trying to hinder Purolator from getting Christmas packages delivered. They sure know how to win public sympathy. Looking forward to their careers as fry-cooks,' said Western Standard columnist Cory Morgan about the photo.

"Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon criticized Canada Post management and workers Wedneday, calling their handling of the three-week strike 'highly disrespectful' to Canadians during the busy holiday mailing season. The ongoing Canada Post strike, now in its third week, may continue for an extended period, according to MacKinnon. 

"'We are at a dead end in negotiations,' MacKinnon told reporters, expressing frustration over the stalled talks between the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post management.... Blacklock's Reporter said he criticized the lack of progress, despite the involvement of federal mediators who withdrew earlier this week after contract negotiations collapsed.... However, he ruled out government intervention at this time, stating, 'We are not considering any intervention. Binding arbitration is not in the cards.'

"The strike, which began November 15, comes during Canada Post’s busiest season for holiday mail and parcel deliveries. A similar dispute in 2018 lasted 35 days before the government passed back-to-work legislation. At the time, Canada Post estimated rotating strikes cost the corporation $110 million.... The last strike to resolve without government intervention occurred in 1975 and lasted 43 days."

Read more: https://www.westernstandard.news/news/striking-posties-blocking-christmas-deliveries-from-purolator-plant/60255

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