#102: National Strike Hits Canada Post: Here's How It Affects You

Well, it's not like we weren't expecting it. But this one still caught us off guard. On November 15, 2024, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) announced a national strike after negotiations with Canada Post failed to reach an agreement.

A rotating strike, affecting different cities and regions each day, was what we were prepared for. This tactic is usually the first step in a labour dispute, giving the union leverage while minimizing the impact on Canadians.

But a nationwide strike? That's a whole different ball game. Opting for a full-blown strike right off the bat is a bold move, as 55,000 postal workers across the country left their jobs to take to the picket lines.

This has major implications for our members who rely on Canada Post to deliver their cannabis. And, while we hope for a quick resolution to the strike, the situation is far from resolved. So, let's take a look at what's happening, what could happen next, and how this may affect you.

 

CUPW vs. Canada Post: What’s at stake?

The strike has caused a halt in mail delivery across the country, affecting individuals and businesses alike. With no end date in sight, there are concerns from some members who live in rural areas where Canada Post is the only delivery option.

The day before the strike, Canada Post announced that they would continue to operate, albeit with delays in service. But they weren't prepared for a complete shutdown. Neither were we.

The CUPW is fighting for better wages (demanding 22% over four years), better working conditions, and job security. In addition, they are also advocating for the right to retire with dignity and the expansion of services at the public post office.

From Canada Post's perspective, they are facing enormous financial pressures and have offered an 11.5% wage increase over four years, which was rejected by the union. Having lost $3 billion since 2018, Canada Post claims they simply cannot afford the demands of the union.

There's much more to the strike than just wages and working conditions, but we won't go into the nitty-gritty details here. You can read all about it here. What's important to note is that both sides have valid concerns and are standing firm in their positions.

 

Cannabis delivery tips for striking times

So, what does this mean for you as a member? If your order is currently in transit with Canada Post, then expect your package to be delayed until there's a resolution. No one knows how long the strike could last - it could be a few days to a few weeks. If this is going to have a big impact on your life, get a hold of us at hello@herbaldispatch.com and we'll do our best to work something out on a case-by-case basis.

All new orders will ship via Purolator courier. We have dropped our Purolator rates to match our Canada Post shipping rates, so you won't be paying more for shipping. Purolator offers faster delivery times and has an extensive network in Canada, so you can expect your package to arrive sooner than if it were shipped through Canada Post.

If the only way you can get your cannabis is through Canada Post, we understand that this strike could be worrisome for you. Unless you have a civic address, Canada Post is the only option for shipping cannabis as couriers do not deliver to PO boxes. Please hold off on ordering until the strike is resolved or consider shipping to a friend or family member's address if possible.

We'll be launching a Fedex option soon, so keep an eye out for that. This will give you another alternative at the same price as Canada Post but with faster shipping times. And don't forget our local courier options for members in the Greater Vancouver area.

 

Looking ahead

There's no doubt that the Canada Post strike has caused some disruption and inconvenience for our members. We understand that access to medical cannabis is important for many of our members, and we will try to accommodate your needs as best we can during this time.

We hope that this strike will be resolved soon and that our regular shipping options through Canada Post will be available once again. In the meantime, we encourage you to explore alternative shipping options such as Purolator or Fedex (coming soon!), or consider using our local courier service for those in the Greater Vancouver area.

Thanks for your understanding and continued support during this time. We are sorry for any delays or inconvenience this may cause and assure you that we are doing our best to navigate through this situation. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to us (hello@herbaldispatch.com) with any questions or concerns. ✌️

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