Canada Post labour disruption will impact outside couriers

THUNDER BAY – Non Canada Post couriers are bracing for a flood of business as a lockout looms over workers at the Crown corporation.

Purolator, which itself is 91 per cent Canada Post owned, announced Wednesday the company is suspending its time and date delivery guarantees amid already increasing product volume.

“Purolator is prepared, and has been in conversations with our current customers on contingency plans – which include additional staff and overtime hours – to ensure optimal service in the event of a labour disruption,” Purolator spokeswoman Courtney Reistetter said in a written statement. 

“We will continue to service our customers’ courier and logistics requirements throughout any potential service disruption.”

Reistetter was unable to provide regional information on increased traffic, saying only Purolator is seeing “higher than normal volumes.”

County Fair UPS Store owner Aryanna Parker has seen business skyrocket since July 1 as customers have said Canada Post staff has advised them to send parcels through other avenues. Despite UPS’ higher courier rates, those sending mail are eager to ensure packages won’t be caught in the mail.

“Typically for the summer in the last week, it has almost doubled,” she said.

“The highest volume we’ve seen is in documents. Those have a specific timeline. They’re things we would be sending express post.”

Canada Post issued notice to its staff late on Wednesday, extending its lockout notice from Friday until Monday at 12:01 a.m.

No further talks are scheduled between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.