The ongoing labour dispute between Canada Post and the postal workers union could soon cut off mail delivery. Starting this weekend a strike or lockout is possible.
With the threat of a Canada Post work stoppage looming, Okanagan businesses don’t want their packages to get stuck in the postal system until a strike or lockout is resolved.
Retailers in the Okanagan are already making changes and bracing for the possibility that mail may soon stop arriving.
“We’ve been finding different avenues already,” Karen Cooper, owner of The Cowboy’s Choice, said.
The deadline to get letters in the mail to guarantee they will make it before any possible work stoppage has long since passed and Wednesday was the last day to send parcels by priority post to ensure they will be delivered prior to any labour disruption.
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At A Twist of Yarn in Vernon shipping orders to out-of-town customers is an important part of their business.
The yarn shop usually ships with Canada Post so a labour disruption at the crown corporation could turn into a headache for the business.
“It is a little bit worrisome,” shop owner Camella Making said.
“This is just one more thing that you’ve got to prepare for, look for other ways, source different suppliers or source different shippers and that is a bit of a nuisance.”
If businesses are forced to switch to other shipping companies or start paying their bills online during a strike or lockout, some wonder how many will come back to Canada Post once any labour disruption ends.