Canada Post workers in Winnipeg were back on the picket lines with just one day left to decide whether or not they are going to take a deal on the table.
On Thursday the Winnipeg mail processing plant joined the strike for the second time since it started three weeks ago. The plant has since re-opened, but the remainder of the unionized workers are taking their turn on the picket line.
This comes after Canada Post issued a new contract offer Wednesday afternoon in hopes of putting an end to the strike. The offer comes after eBay said there is warning of huge losses on Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
Canada Post said the new offer includes a two per cent wage hike and some job security provisions. However, the CUPW said that this is not enough.
The union said they what they are offering is not real job security. The majority of its workers still would not have job security or they'd only get one-year’s layoff notice.
“Several important issues have not been addressed. There has been some movement on a few issues but we have a long way to go. Obviously this does not constitute a basis for settlement,” states the CUPW Wednesday afternoon.
The job action is also cause for concern amongst local businesses.
Winnipeg-based Coal & Canary ships most of its candles through UPS, but does use Canada Post for some orders.
Company spokesperson Alicia Kurz told CTV News they've already received messages from people asking where their packages are.
Coal & Canary staff track each parcel, and Kurz said that practice is top of mind with ongoing rotating strikes and holiday rushes quickly approaching.
"That's our big concern: if people order things and don't get them for an event they're going to or for presents," said Kurz.
"But we're shipping everything out as fast as we can."
At Nerman's Books & Collectibles in South Osborne, Garry Nerman hasn't received any queries from customers yet, but said he's seen delays with packages headed towards Ontario.
With 75 per cent of his sales coming from shipped products, Nerman said he ultimately ends up sending a large chunk out of Pembina, N.D.
However, sales within the country are shipped through Canada Post, and Nerman said he hoped the rotating strikes won’t escalate.
"If it becomes a full strike, especially at Christmas, then that would be really bad for small business," said Nerman.
The CUPW has been on strike for just over three weeks creating an historic backlog of undelivered parcels.
According to Canada Post Spokesman Jon Hamilton there are now more than 260 trailers of parcels and packets waiting to be unloaded the Gateway parcel processing plant in Toronto.
As the strike continues to grow the postal operator said the offer will expire Saturday, Nov. 17 at 11:59 p.m.
- with files from Canadian Press
