Canada Post strikes continue to cause major backlog

With the holiday season upon us, there are growing concerns about the Canada Post strike, and the backlog of deliveries it has caused so far.

The union representing postal workers has now asked the Minister of Labour for a federally appointed mediator, after they turned down Canada Post’s offer that expired Saturday night.

Canadians rely heavily on Canada Post this time of year to send packages, gifts, and Christmas cards to loved ones.

But there is still no end in sight to the rotating strikes that have caused major delays since they began on October 21.

Canada Post says the backlog is record setting. Approximately 1,500,000 undelivered parcels are sitting in the lot.

Many shoppers at Eastgate Square on Sunday said they are concerned about their online shopping deliveries.

The union rejected a time sensitive offer Saturday that included a 2 per cent annual wage increase, overtime pay for working more than 40 hours a week and a $10,000,000 health and safety fund for workers.

The union says it’s not enough, and countered the offer, asking for a 2.9 per cent annual wage increase, double time for all hours if an employee works on their sixth or seventh shift of the week and protection of victims of domestic violence.

Many are turning to brick and mortar stores this year for Christmas shopping, saying its a safer bet.

The union says their new counter offer addresses employee needs and demands but with Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, online shopping giants like Ebay are putting pressure on the Trudeau government to intervene.