Choosing people over profits

Alberta Ave business shows solidarity during Canada Post labour standoff

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Canada Post have been in negotiations for over 18 months, with CUPW currently enforcing a national overtime ban. | Mikayla Pohl

As Canada Post strike activity enters its fourth week, some small Edmonton businesses are feeling the strain, while others, like Pe Metawe Games, are showing support for postal workers.

On May 23, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), which represents 55,000 Canada Post employees, launched a strike that includes a nationwide overtime ban amid ongoing contract negotiations.

Strike activity has left many small businesses uneasy, with the risk of delayed parcels and lost revenue looming. National organizations like the Canadian Federation of Independent Business have also voiced concern, warning that a prolonged dispute could worsen the impact on hundreds of thousands of Canadian small businesses.

One board game shop on Alberta Avenue views the unions’ strike activity as a necessary push for change. David Plamondon, president of the Alberta Avenue Business Association and owner of Pe Metawe Games, says, “While we are a business that does rely very heavily on services like Canada Post, we're also a people-first organization.”

Plamondon says that, while the strike has had a minor impact on his business, he remains committed to supporting Canada Post workers.

David Plamondon, who opened Pe Metawe Games in February 2021, says respecting workers’ rights remains a priority. | photo provided by David Plamondon

“We have to send a message as business owners and as Canadians that we are not going to support the slow dismantling of an essential service,” he adds. 

Five days after the union began strike activity, Canada Post presented its final offer to CUPW. Key points include a signing bonus of 500-1000 dollars, a lower threshold for cost-of-living allowance payments, and removal of compulsory overtime. 

Since then, Canada Post has asked the Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu, to compel CUPW to hold a vote on the latest offer.

Hajdu released an online statement saying she will exercise her authority to force the union to vote on the final offers, citing the prolonged negotiations spanning 18 months of talks, more than 200 meetings between the parties, weeks of strike activity, and ongoing strain on small businesses as the basis for her decision.

In response, CUPW called on all postal workers to stand together and vote against the post’s offer. They indicated that the national overtime ban will remain in effect.  

Jan Simpson, the national president of CUPW, said, “The Minister’s decision is yet another assault on our collective bargaining rights.”

Simpson said that repeated government interference undermines the bargaining process. “A forced vote is an attack on the most basic rights of trade unions to represent their members,” she adds. 

This dispute unfolds as Canada Post faces increasing financial strain. A report by the Industrial Inquiry Commission said that Canada Post is facing an existential crisis and, without immediate changes, its financial position is expected to worsen.

While the commission highlights urgent financial reform, Plamondon points to broader issues within the negotiation process. “Canada Post, as a crown corporation, has to evolve and has to adapt,” he says. “Everything that I've seen from the union and the corporation itself showcases that Canada Post isn't willing to actually operate in any sort of good faith.”

Plamondon’s advice to business owners on Alberta Avenue is to consider using other providers during this time. 

“If they're not willing to respect the employees and actually do the work, we will find alternatives,” he adds. 

He cites the importance of standing with Canada Post workers and the community as they navigate uncertain times.

“The last thing I want to see is Canada Post as an essential service go away, but under the current management structure, under the current operational structure, it doesn't work,” he says.