Canada Postal Strike

[WingsAllure]

Yesterday, May 30th, CUPW submitted a final offer to reach an agreement without a strike or lockout. There were several important amendments and clarifications to our positions. The entire offer can be viewed online at www.cupw.ca and has been distributed to CUPW locals. CPC management has not yet replied to the union although they issued a press release indicating that they are rejecting the union's proposals.

In order to focus the efforts of the Employer towards reaching a negotiated settlement, the union provided our 72-our strike notice as required by the Canada Labour Code. Under the law the union can exercise our the right to strike as of 11:59 PM EDT Thursday June 2, 2011.

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I'm officially stressed today as the cheapest it will now cost me to ship packages to my clients in the US is $20-$23 a package!!!!! I'm screwed! Nobody will want to pay those ridiculous charges!!!!

For Canadian shop owners, what options are you all following?

[EvesLittleEarthlings]

I think I am just going to put up an announcement in my shop that the item will be shipped after the strike (if there is one)OR they can pay additional shipping to have it sent by alternate shipper. AND put a similar announcement in my notes to seller.
OR, maybe just email them using the paypal info and let them cancel the sale or wait until the strike is over.

[Former_Member]

I'm crossing my fingers and hoping it doesn't happen!

[SacredPinesArt]

I'm going to post a notice on my banner stating that there will be shipping delays and just ship when the strike is over.

[WingsAllure]

i think I will do the same and have to ship when strike is over. Way to go CUPW....at least you have a job. i know a few hundred people in my town who would gladly take your jobs as is!!!

[WyldeMagnolia]

I think I am going to just deal with customers on an individual basis and convo them about shipping options. Who knows maybe it will be averted?

[Former_Member]

I'm not saying anything until they actually strike. If they do strike then I will simply put my shop on holiday mode until it's over. Any purchases made now and before the possible strike I will just communicate directly with the customer.

[SoulRole]

so,how does this affect shipping from the US to Canada?I have an order to ship to Ottawa this week.

[SacredPinesArt]

SoulRole - If they do end up striking, your item could get stuck in transit once it reaches Canada. You could always ship with another shipping company but that means lots of extra $$ plus brokerage fees for your customer.

[Former_Member]

Good question SoulRole, I'd like to know also.

[WingsAllure]

I have read that If you place your shop on Vacation mode, you loose your place in Google search. I personally don't think it's worth it.

[Former_Member]

@DebrasDivineDesigns, I didn't know that, hmmm I don't think I will put it in vacation mode now either. Maybe I'll just put a note on each listing advising of the current strike and possible delivery delays.

As for anyone shipping to Canada internationaly using regular mail services, they will be affected also.

[WingsAllure]

Yep...delays both ways receivingcuddles (great name) I don't know if you have to put it on all listings, but if you post it in your policies section and in your shop announcement and then to your message to buyers, when they purchase something , it will be there on the bottom of their receipt if they missed seeing it in other sections. I will wait till tomorrow night to see what CPUW does...but it looks like they are going to strike.

All items in my shop will be on hold until the strike ends unless they want to upgrade the shipping at their cost. We are left with no affordable alternative. So frustrating!

[LaBellaDoll]

I didn't think about it and sent a parcel out today to France. My first overseas shipment, I sure hope it doesn't get held up in transit. Now I am worried!

[Former_Member]

I have changed my shop announcement to :

IMPORTANT: Canada Post is in position to strike Thursday June 2nd. We will continue shipping as normal until then. In the case of a strike, all orders will be held until the postal workers return to work. Please keep this in mind when ordering. Toronto area customers are invited to pick seeds up in person or have them delivered by bicycle courier for a $5 charge.

[Former_Member]

I will also be convoing when they order and when I ship. Good communication is going to be a life saver here.

[ahunterrn]

It is amazing what people will pay when they find something they love! You have beautiful things in your shop! Don't stress about it! I've had customers add overnight shipping without a second thought!

[WyldeMagnolia]

Hi Debrasdivinedesign,
Ha! ha! The postal Gods must have been listening and I have got two orders today. So I now change my answer from this morning: I have put a Postal Strike Alert in my shop announcement. One customer said just to wait to send and I am waiting to hear back from the second one.
I was thinking of vacation mode but maybe I will just stick with the alert. Keeping my fingers crossed for a short strike! K

[Former_Member]

I hope that my supply order gets here in time! I ordered supplies for a custom order that has to be completed by the 5th! GGRRRR!

[WanderingJeweler]

Thank you for sharing, I've updated my shop announcement, message to buyers and shipping policies!

[efinegifts]

Thanks for the info. Please keep us posted (no pun iintended!)

[WingsAllure]

I just got back from the post office and they were told that they are going to strike for sure. Here is the CUPW update from the website.

http://www.cupw.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/13055/la_id/1.htm

[WingsAllure]

Here is the official Canada Post Website for Customers that you can sign up to get up-to-date info.
http://clients.infopost.ca/en/

[Former_Member]

So the Strike started in Winnipeg Today and my Supplies are stuck in Winnipeg! Me not happy, and my supplier lied to me about when it was shipped, if they had shipped it when they said they were going to and when they said they did instead of 2 days later it would have made it here in time for me to make up the custom order I have due!

But the Strike is Rotating every 24 hours from city to city from what I understand so mail should still be moving, just alot slower than usual!
I am not sure how a rotating strike works though so I could be wrong!

[Northernlodge]

oh no..this is not good-I'm so sorry for all of you..
and i get a lot of buyers from Canada (my homeland) so I'm sad about that too..guess I'll have to hand deliver..
I have huskies and a sled....anyone need a winter delivery-lemme know..