As the Canada Post strike enters its third week, the 1,000-member Kelowna Chamber of Commerce has joined the chorus of voices calling on the federal government to end the dispute.
The chorus also includes the BC Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, the Retail Council of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
The Kelowna chamber also fully supports the stand of the Canadian chamber, which is outlined in an open letter to federal Minister of Labour Steven MacKinnon and Minister of Public Services Jean-Yves.
The letter calls the strike a blow to the supply chain that business can't afford and for Ottawa to intervene and settle the strike.
See the letter here: https://chamber.ca/publications/letter-to-ministers-mackinnon-and-duclos-regarding-the-strike-by-canadian-union-of-postal-workers/
"The cost of this inaction is too steep for our small businesses, charitable organizations and our communities," said chamber CEO George Greenwood and chamber president Maryse Harvey in another open letter.
"The Kelowna chamber supports collective bargaining and employee rights to a fair and healthy working environment. (But) we also stand with business owners -- including solo entrepreneurs, family-owned shops, generational businesses and other small businesses. In all of this, the non-profit sector is also hit hard when the business community around it faces such a devastating blow."
Add to this scenario the timing.
The run up to Christmas is one of the most crucial times of year for businesses and charities who need Canada Post to receive supplies, fulfil orders by customers and receive donations.
The Kelowna chamber has come up with a six-point list of how people can help local businesses and charities as the postal strike drags.
It can also serve as a longer-range plan to increase local shopping, which helps the regional economy, and cut back on online shopping, which doesn't help the local economy.
- Look for local or regional alternatives to online purchasing
- Pay with cash or by debit when possible to avoid the retailer paying higher credit card fees
- If purchasing locally online, offer to pick up in-store
- Offer to pick up items for neighbours and carpool or take transit when shopping locally
- Consider charitable donation by e-transfer, if available, or drop off a cheque in person
- Ask charitable organizations what else they require, if not a cash donation
Here is the tool to send an electronic message about the postal strike to your MP or federal minister: https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en
