Canada Post Strike (2024): Alternative Shipping Services & Everything You Need to Know

If you're an eCommerce store owner or marketplace seller operating in Canada, understanding the strike's impact and finding ways to adapt is crucial for keeping your business running smoothly. In this post, we'll break down the essential details about the strike, why it's happening, and what you can do to minimize its effects—including alternative Canadian shipping services.

What Is the Canada Post Strike?

The Canada Post strike is a nationwide labor action initiated by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). CUPW announced the strike to address unresolved issues with Canada Post, starting on Friday, November 15, at 12:01 a.m. ET. During the strike, Canada Post operations shut down completely.

In response, eCommerce sellers should:

Expect Delivery Delays: During the Canada Post strike, mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered, and some post offices will be closed. Service guarantees for items in transit will be impacted, and no new items will be accepted until the strike ends.

Resuming Operations After the Strike: Once the strike ends, Canada Post will secure and deliver mail and parcels as quickly as possible on a first-in, first-out basis. However, due to the national shutdown, it may take time for operations and delivery services to return to normal.

How Long Will the Strike Last?

The duration of a strike is often difficult to predict, and its length remains uncertain at this time. However, examining previous strikes can provide valuable context regarding how similar situations have been managed in the past.

In 2018, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) initiated rotating strikes that lasted for several weeks, starting in October and continuing into November. In response to the ongoing labor action, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government introduced Bill C-89, known as the "Postal Services Resumption and Continuation Act," on November 22, 2018.

This legislation was designed to end the strikes and mandated that postal workers return to work while establishing a mediation-arbitration process to resolve the dispute between Canada Post and CUPW. The House of Commons passed Bill C-89 in the early hours of November 24 after extensive debate, and the Senate followed suit, passing the bill on November 26.

The enactment of Bill C-89 was controversial, as many argued it infringed upon workers' rights to strike. This situation marked a significant moment in Canadian labor relations, reflecting ongoing tensions between labor rights and government intervention in disputes.

At this time, Ottawa is not seeking a forced end, according to sources.

Impact of the Strike on Canadian eCommerce Sellers

For eCommerce businesses, the strike poses unique challenges. Many small-to-medium businesses rely on Canada Post for affordable shipping, especially during the busy holiday season. Peak season has well and truly arrived, and it is important for retailers to effectively manage their orders to ensure they are not weighted down during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday surge expected later this month.

What this means for your business:

• Delayed deliveries can damage customer trust and brand reputation, particularly if they have already purchased the item
• If you only use one courier partner, you are potentially putting your business at risk
• Additional pressure on your fulfillment process as volume and complications rise during Q4 as the busiest shopping season

Recommended Actions for eCommerce Sellers

If your business depends on Canada Post, it’s time to act. Adapting your shipping strategy can help minimize the impact on your operations and keep customers satisfied. An all-in-one shipping software like Easyship allows you to effortlessly compare shipping costs and delivery timelines to always select the best option and keep your customers happy.

Steps to Take:

• ‍Multi-Carrier Shipping Software: Easyship allows you to effortlessly compare rates and delivery timelines to always select the best option and keep your customers happy. Get started for free.‍
• Diversify Your Carrier Mix: With Easyship, you can access discounted rates on Canada Post and all the top courier alternatives like UPS, Sendle, and Canpar.‍
• Extend Handling Times: Update your store settings to reflect longer delivery timelines. This helps manage buyer expectations.‍
• Proactively Communicate With Customers: If you have taken any orders, it's always best to be open and transparent with customers to inform them of the likely impact of this strike. This is important if you currently rely solely on Canada Post and have taken a larger volume of orders in the past 24-48 hours.

Alternative Shipping Solutions During the Strike

The Canada Post strike highlights the importance of diversifying your shipping strategy. Multi-carrier shipping platforms can provide the flexibility you need to navigate disruptions.

Benefits of Multi-Carrier Shipping:

• Compare costs and delivery times across multiple couriers in real-time
• Access exclusive rates to reduce shipping expenses by up to 91% off
• Maintain reliability with backup options in case one carrier is unavailable

Top Canada Post Alternatives

1. Sendle
2. UPS
3. Canpar
4. Purolator
5. DHL Express (international only)

The Canada Post strike presents significant challenges, but with the right shipping strategies, eCommerce businesses can continue to serve their customers effectively. By understanding the situation, using alternative carriers, and staying informed, you can keep your operations running smoothly and maintain customer trust during this disruption.

Try Easyship for free today.