Edmonton charities are bracing themselves for the impacts of a possible Canada Post work stoppage.
Canada Post and its union, Canadian Union of Postal Workers, have not reached an agreement, meaning workers could be locked out or go on strike starting Saturday.
READ MORE: Governments, online retailers prepare as Canada Post work stoppage looms
Neither side has filed for legal work disruption yet but Glori Meldrum, the founder of Little Warriors, is preparing for the potential ripple effects – 70 to 90 per cent of donations towards Little Warriors arrive via the mail.
“What it’s going to do is the little bit of money that still is coming in in donations is going to get held up,” she said.
Meldrum said that, depending on how long a possible work stoppage lasts, it could impact Little Warriors programs and services to help those who have been sexually abused.
Jodi Zabludowski, director of operations for Easter Seals in Edmonton, said it could face a similar problem if there is a disruption in delivery.
“Easter Seals depends on the mail to the utmost,” she said.
“We receive donations in through the mail. We have our spring mailer that went out. We still have our receiving donations coming in.”
Zabludowski said a mail stoppage could create a delay in collecting revenues, which could be another blow for it.
She said Easter Seals and other charities are already struggling with Albertans who are strapped for cash because of the economy as well as the Fort McMurray wildfire.
“This will be the third impact on our organization if that happens.”
Both charities have contingency plans in place, which include pointing people online to donate as well as picking up donations in person.
READ MORE: Postal union expects Liberals to stay out of any labour dispute at Canada Post
CUPW and Canada Post are both not backing down however.
Dozens of people gathered in front of the mail processing plant on 149 Street on Thursday to protest the sticking points between CUPW and the Crown Corporation.
RELATED: Union: Canada Post’s last-ditch effort to avoid strike is ‘inadequate’
President of CUPW Edmonton, Larry Dionne, said there are concerns about wage disparities between rural and urban mail carriers along with lower wages and different pensions for new hires.
“We’re always concerned about the customers, the charities. It’s Canada Post that’s forcing this. We are going to continue to work as long as they’re negotiating,” he said.
Jon Hamilton, spokesperson for Canada Post, said he understands that employees, customers and charities are feeling uncertain about the future.
“The only comfort I can provide is we’re trying very hard to get a negotiated settlement and not have a work stoppage and impact their fundraising,” he said.
The Province of Alberta said plans are in place to ensure residents can still access government services in case of a work stoppage:
- Human Services clients can receive their income support cheques by calling their worker, visiting the website or signing up for direct deposit
- Health cards can be picked up in person and numbers can be obtained by contacting Alberta Health
- High school students can access their unofficial transcripts through mypass.alberta.ca
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