What consumers need to know as Canada Post workers strike ahead of a busy holiday season

Canada Post temporarily lays off some employees Canadian Union of Postal Workers negotiator Jim Gallant discusses what the union is calling an intimidation tactic by Canada Post.

During Canada Post's busiest time of the year, the postal workers’ strike is disrupting services for Canadians and businesses nationwide.

Mail and parcels, except for certain benefit cheques, are not being processed during the strike and some post offices will be closed, Canada Post said Friday.

Members of the rural, suburban and urban bargaining units of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) issued strike notices to Canada Post, and Canada Post notified them of a lockout, both on Tuesday, if no agreement was reached by Friday.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers announced the strike after the deadline passed Friday, noting little progress was made after nearly a year of bargaining.

Both parties are back on the negotiating table, with the union deciding on whether workers will continue to do a full strike or opt for rotating strikes, which would affect specific locations on a day-to-day basis, union spokesperson Yannick Scott said in a phone interview with CTVNews.ca Friday.

“Our goal is to negotiate a fair deal -- trying to get that as fast as possible,” he said, noting the union’s demands include better work conditions and pensions. “Both parties have to be on the same page, which isn’t the case as we speak.”

Canada Post says it’s committed to negotiating new collective agreements.

“Understanding the importance of the service we provide, Canada Post had informed the union, and our customers, that we would continue operating and maintain service in the event of rotating strikes while discussions continue,” it said in a press release Friday.

Here's what you can do if you’re affected by the Canada Post work stoppage.

Benefit cheques

Canada Post says it and the union have agreed to continue the delivery of benefit cheques during the labour disruption. These include the Canada Child Benefit, Old Age Security and the Canada Pension Plan.

“Arrangements are made for CUPW-represented employees to deliver these cheques even during a labour disruption,” Canada Post spokesperson Lisa Liu wrote in an email to CTVNews.ca on Friday.

They are next scheduled to be delivered on Nov. 20.

Canada Post said it will include the latest information on negotiations and affected locations on its website.

Options for shoppers

With Christmas around the corner, 22 per cent of Canadians have already begun their holiday shopping, according to a new survey by the Retail Council of Canada and Leger.

“It's the busiest time of year and Canadian retailers are definitely worried about how (the potential strike) will impact the holiday season,” Santo Ligotti, vice-president of marketing and member services with the Retail Council of Canada in Toronto, said in a video interview with CTVNews.ca on Tuesday.

Shopping in the stores rather than online, as well as buying physical or virtual gift cards, are a few ways Canadians can avoid problems during the strike, he said. Online shoppers may have the option of picking up purchases at a location near them instead of having them mailed, he added.

Ligotti said he's "hopeful" about both parties eventually reaching an agreement.

Effect on small businesses

While many consumers no longer depend on Canada Post for mail, many small businesses do rely heavily on the government postal service, said Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) in Toronto.

Kelly listed examples including businesses sending invoices and shipping goods to consumers, especially in rural and remote communities, and promoting themselves to customers.

"I think the first thing is Canadians should stop using Canada Post for anything that has any degree of urgency," Kelly said in a video interview with CTVNews.ca on Tuesday.

Kelly recommends everyone who relies on the service to find private alternatives, such as FedEx, DHL and UPS, or digital options.

Business owners should consider using e-transfers, he added, and look at other options for shipping products to consumers as soon as possible.

"There are private sector shipping options, but many of them are more expensive and don't have the same geographical reach as Canada Post might to every corner of Canada."

Avoid late bills

To avoid getting charged a fee if you receive your bill late in the mail, switch to online billing for your accounts, including for electricity, gas and cable, and set up pre-authorized debits, RBC wrote in an article with advice on preparing for a possible strike.

Banking online or through mobile apps will also make life easier and can save time instead of relying on mail or going to the branch, it said.

To avoid missing cheques in the mail, set up a direct deposit for regular payments you receive, such as for CPP, Employment Insurance or Canada Child Benefits, RBC added.

If you need to send money, do so electronically such as through e-transfer. If you want to send cards and gifts, also send them online, according to the bank.