Navigating the Potential Canada Post Strike: Ecommerce Solutions You Can Trust

As the possibility of a Canada Post strike looms, many ecommerce businesses are understandably anxious about potential disruptions in their shipping operations. However, there’s no need to panic. With Chit Chats, your business can continue to thrive, no matter what happens.

Update November 12, 2024

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has issued a 72-hour strike notice to Canada Post. If a resolution is not reached by Friday, November 15, the strike may occur. We will provide ongoing updates as more information becomes available.

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At Chit Chats, we understand that reliability in shipping is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction and ensuring timely deliveries. That’s why we’ve built strong partnerships that aren’t reliant solely on Canada Post. This means that even if a strike occurs, we have shipping options to ensure that your products reach your customers on time.

What We Know So Far

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has announced receiving a strike mandate from its members regarding Canada Post. If no agreement is reached between the CUPW and Canada Post, disruptions could begin as early as Sunday, November 3, 2024.

• According to Canada Post, any strike action would follow a 72-hour notice, with November 3 as the earliest possible date. 
• Canada Post has put forward new offers during the current cooling-off (negotiation) period, which terminates on November 2.

Chit Chats is closely monitoring the situation, as any strike activity may impact our Chit Chats Canada Tracked and Slim services, potentially causing delays for shipments using this option. However not to worry as we do offer an alternative, Chit Chats Select, that provides delivery to most addresses in Canada.

Why You Shouldn’t Worry

With the potential for a Canada Post strike in 2024, you may be wondering what you can do to ensure your business continues especially as the holiday season approaches. 

Chit Chats is your Canada Post alternative to access shipping within Canada, to the U.S. and wordwide.

• Diverse Carrier Network: Our network includes trusted partner carriers that allow us to provide reliable and low-cost postage options not only in Canada but to the U.S. and worldwide. This means your shipping needs are met without interruption. 
• Expert & Caring Support: Our team is here to guide you through the shipping process, helping you choose the best options for your specific needs. We’re dedicated to keeping you informed and prepared, so you never feel alone in navigating shipping challenges.
• Seamless Transitions: Should any disruptions arise, our services allow you to continue to ship smoothly minimizing any potential impact on your delivery schedules. 
• Customer Focus: Your business is our priority. We are here to provide solutions that will help your business to grow and streamline your operations all while saving money! 

While FedEx and UPS offer alternatives, their rates are often too high for small businesses. Furthermore, Canada Post’s majority ownership in Purolator (91%) makes it a key player at the negotiating table, limiting other affordable options.

Avoid P.O. Box

As precautionary measure, we recommend that you refrain from sending shipments destined to PO boxes just until there is a confirmed decision from the Canada Post union. In the event they strike this will help prevent packages from getting stuck or delayed in transit, sparing you from potential headaches.

Chit Chats: Alternative for Canadian Small Businesses

During the 2018 Canada Post strike, Chit Chats stepped up to support Canadian small businesses, offering a vital lifeline with cost-effective shipping that helped businesses save on postage and continue to deliver to their customers. 

Our platform empowered businesses to keep fulfilling orders without interruption, with convenient tools to estimate rates and create postage labels right from home. This year, we’re here once again to help you keep shipping through any potential disruptions.

Chit Chats Canada Tracked & Chit Chats Slim

Chit Chats does partner with Canada Post for our Canada Tracked and Slim services and a strike could impact delivery timelines for them. Our Chit Chats Select is available which will not be impacted should Canada Post strike and is a very cost-effective option, allowing you to keep your Canadian shipping on track without compromise.

Note: Our Canada Tracked scan-based return labels will be affected as well.

Shipping to the U.S. and internationally

All of our service options to the US and overseas are great Canada Post alternatives as we partner with carriers like USPS and Asendia. These services would not be impacted and will provide you to ship to your customers without disruptions.

Chit Chats History

Understanding businesses and being able to help Canadians is part of Chit Chats mission. Chit Chats exists because Derek Nolan wanted to reduce the cost of shipping his books from Canada to the U.S. He realized he could drive across the border to the U.S. himself and ship his books to his customers at a fraction of the price with USPS. Before he knew it, other book sellers started paying him to take their books and Chit Chats was born. Derek Nolan saw the biggest pain point for many businesses was shipping costs. This made it difficult for many small businesses to compete in the ecommerce industry.

Chit Chats levels the playing field so Canadian businesses can not only compete but thrive!  Ship with Chit Chats today so your business can expand into markets beyond Canada and keep your profits without low-cost shipping rates. Plus access our comprehensive solutions that include insurance, supplies and fulfillment services.