Small business hurt by strike

Photo: The Canadian Press

Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) members stand on picket line along Almon St., in front of the Canada Post regional sorting headquarters in Halifax on Monday, Oct.22, 2018 after a call for a series of rotating 24-hour strikes.

A small business group is calling for a quick end to rotating walkouts by Canada Post employees and warns a prolonged strike could bite into profits ahead of the holiday shopping season.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is also urging Canada Post to rein in spending to reduce costs.

Walkouts by employees with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers began today in Victoria, Edmonton, Windsor, Ont. and Halifax.

The union, representing 50,000 postal employees, has been bargaining separate contacts for rural and urban carriers over the past 10 months.

A Canada Post spokesman says business will proceed as usual at other locations but mail and parcels will not be picked up or delivered where walkouts are taking place.

Federal Labour Minister Patty Hajdu says she is monitoring the situation and encourages both sides to continue negotiations until a settlement is reached.