Letter to Minister MacKinnon on Ending the National Strike at Canada Post

The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Labour and Seniors
Place du Portage Phase II
165 de l’Hôtel-de-Ville Street
Gatineau, Québec J8X 3X2

Subject: Ending the National Strike at Canada Post

Dear Minister MacKinnon,

On behalf of the Canadian retail industry, and its millions of workers, we write to urge you to intervene in the labour dispute at Canada Post and bring the strike to an end. This postal strike, unseen in 30 years and on the heels of the rail and port shutdowns, could not come at a worse time during the holiday shopping season. The cumulative effect of successive labour disruptions has disproportionately hurt retailers and severely compromised the entire supply chain. We need the government to intervene to protect jobs and the Canadian economy.

While we acknowledge the importance of collective bargaining rights, we cannot ignore the significant economic consequences of this strike.
We all depend on Canada Post’s services, a central player in the ecosystem of communications and parcel delivery. This institution connects our communities, allows businesses both large and small to continue operating, and ensures the movement of essential goods from coast to coast. Retailers not only rely on Canada Post to get goods to consumers, but to also deliver promotional flyers and coupons that countless Canadians use to make ends meet. As these services are at the heart of our daily lives, it is imperative that the parties reach a resolution.

Therefore, we urge the government to exercise the powers under the Canadian Labour Code to maintain industrial peace. Every day counts, and retailers and Canadians need Canada Post to resume its operations.

We thank you for the attention given to this urgent request and remain available for any initiative aimed at resolving this conflict quickly.

Diane J. Brisebois
President & CEO – Présidente et Directrice Générale