Written By David Gomez
Some of you may have received a copy of our latest edition despite the Canada Post strike or the terrible snowstorm that Middlesex County experienced last week. All members of this journalistic team have been delivering newspapers throughout the county; however, we have not been able to reach every house. Luckily, there are several select locations where you can find a copy of The Banner. Our office in Strathroy is, of course, the best place to get a copy easily.
My coverage area for the past week was Middlesex Centre. On Wednesday, December 4th, I decided to go to Denfield with my wife to deliver the last 30 newspapers I had with me. We started early so we could finish quickly. Nevertheless, the snow and my lack of weather awareness caused us problems. By about 1 p.m., many of the streets were almost invisible.
Let’s not forget that I have not experienced many winters in my life, as in my hometown there is no snow nor is it very cold. I was very confident that I could make it. Yes, I delivered all the papers, but as we were driving back home, my perception of the road failed. I unexpectedly drove into a ditch, causing a large part of my car to sink. I tried to calm myself despite my wife’s screams. I did everything I could to get out of that snow hole, but we were trapped. My black car was tilted, with the left rear tire slightly floating in the air. We quickly got out and called our insurance. The strong wind and freezing temperature made things worse. In the end, thanks to an OPP officer, we were able to receive help in less than 30 minutes. Fortunately, our vehicle was undamaged, so we were able to return home.
After this dramatic and terrifying incident, I began to reflect on the importance of postal service work. As you know, Canada Post has been on strike since November 15, which has affected not only this newspaper but also thousands of small businesses across Canada.
The strike stems from a breakdown in negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). Mediated talks between the two sides have been suspended, and reports indicate that their positions are far apart. Canada Post has offered an 11.5% wage increase spread over four years, while the union is asking for 24%. The CUPW cites rising inflation and the increasing cost of living as the reasons for its demands, arguing that postal workers have fallen behind economically. Canada Post, nonetheless, has countered that its financial situation is dire, having reported losses of almost $3 billion in the past six years. Canada Post’s latest quarterly report revealed a $315 million loss, underscoring the challenges it faces.
The financial strain on Canada Post is further exacerbated by shifts in the parcel delivery market. Once a dominant player, the corporation’s market share has been eroded by competitors offering lower-cost services. Pre-pandemic, Canada Post controlled 62% of the package delivery market in Canada. Today, that number has dropped significantly due to the rise of more agile companies and the gig economy.
These economic pressures have created a deadlock, with both sides unwilling to compromise. The timing of the strike could not be worse, as the holiday season is typically when Canada Post generates a significant portion of its annual revenue. The strike has led to an estimated 10 million missed package deliveries, leaving businesses and individuals scrambling for alternatives. For small businesses, which rely heavily on Canada Post for their shipping, the impact has been devastating. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, by December 4, it would cost small and medium-sized businesses across Canada approximately $1 billion.
The longer this dispute continues, the harder it will be to recover the public’s trust and lost business. A peaceful resolution is urgently needed. Both Canada Post and the CUPW must find common ground to ensure the long-term sustainability of the postal service. While wages and weekend delivery models remain contentious, the focus should be on creating a system that benefits both workers and customers. For instance, innovative solutions such as modernizing delivery routes, leveraging technology, or exploring partnerships with private couriers could provide a way forward. Flexibility and compromise on both sides will be key.
In the meantime, we at The Banner are doing our best to ensure our readers receive their newspapers. For those unable to access our print edition due to the strike, we encourage you to visit our website, middlesexbanner.ca, for the latest news and updates.
We are also working to expand our distribution points across Middlesex County to make our newspaper more accessible during this challenging time. As we navigate this situation, let us remember the vital role the postal service plays in our daily lives.
