Manitoba artists looking at higher shipping costs due to Canada Post strike

A pair of Manitoba artists who ship their work through Canada Post says the strike has left them staring down the possibility of major increases when it comes to costs, the labour action coming at what they say is the worst possible time. 

On the 18th Day of the postal strike, couple Melanie Rocan and Shaun Morin, who collectively make up the art duo Slo-Toons, said the strike had put a pinch on the business in a big way. 

“We put in so much work into making these, we just want to make things a little bit smoother,” said Rocan. “We had a good groove with Canada Post.”

Living 90 minutes outside of Winnipeg near Arnes, Man. the two painters regularly ship their work, and Rocan says Canada Post rates worked when it comes to their business and their bottom line. 

“Canada Post was offering us just reasonable prices that made our business, it made sense,” she said. “I don’t think people are ready to pay four times the amount in shipping, I think that would discourage a lot of people from buying.”

The two painters say even if they were to use other shipping companies, like FedEx or Purolator, they’d have to make the trip to Winnipeg and still pay more money in shipping. 

“We try to remain an affordable art business and I think that times are really tough right now, and it’s hitting at the worst time,” said Rocan. 

Due to the fact the couple lives outside of the city, Canada Post played a big role in their lives. 

“For us, we have a post office, maybe 10 minutes from here, which was very convenient,” he said. “We don’t have an actual mailbox so we can’t receive, so we have to go to, specifically, the post office.”

Sean Tugby, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 856 in Winnipeg, says he’s optimistic a deal will be reached soon, as his employees are eager to return to work. 

“Both parties, from what I understand, are back at the table again,” he said. “Hopefully, we have a deal soon and we’re all back to work sooner than later.”

However, Morin worries even if the strike ends soon, it might be too late, but he hopes the mail gets moving quickly. 

“There’s probably such a backlog of orders that people probably won’t get their stuff on time anyway at this point, because it’s so backed up,” he said. “The sooner the better would be great, to return back to normal.” 

Negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are at a standstill after a mediator appointed by the government determined the two parties are too far apart. 

However, on Sunday the CUPW issued a statement saying it had received “comprehensive framework” documents from Canada Post, and it too has submitted what it called “adjustments to demands” in hopes of restarting the mediated talks. 

Canada Post said in a statement the same day, that it hopes the new framework will allow parties to “work toward final agreements” saying it understands the impact the strike is having on its “employees, customers and so many Canadians.”