Charities in British Columbia are concerned about the impact the Canada Post strike will have on their operations. They are particularly concerned about how it will limit their end-of-year fundraising campaign.
Canada Post employees have been on strike since last Friday.
Nicole Mucci, speaker ofUnion Gospel Mission in the neighborhood Downtown Eastside in Vancouver, believes that a strike is harmful
at this time of the year, since it is during this period that many donations are sent by mail.
She reports that 50% of her organization’s revenue is sent by mail between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Our team needs to revise the way they send mailings, or contact donors, because we send a lot of letters [postaux]at this time of year.
Ms. Mucci indicates that Union Gospel Mission still supports the striking workers, but hopes for a resolution of the labor dispute soon.
Furthermore, the foundation Blanket B.C. Society receives large donations by mail from a Canadian mattress company.
Gregory Ould, co-founder of this Vancouver-based organization, fears that the strike will have repercussions on the families, refugees and homeless people whom the organization helps.
Mr. Ould estimates that 5,000 to 8,000 blankets are usually donated to the foundation between this time of year and the month of December. According to him, the number of blankets distributed to people in need this winter will be affected if the strike continues.
As Canadians try to find ways to get their Christmas presents delivered, Mr. Ould and Ms. Mucci are asking people not to forget to make donations, despite the strike.
The spokesperson forUnion Gospel Mission hopes that those who can will donate online.
Still in negotiation
The Canada Post Workers’ Union estimates around 55,000 employees are on strike and says there has been little progress in the bargaining process.
For its part, Canada Post points out that the strike will have a significant and immediate impact on millions of Canadians, small businesses and charities who rely on Canada Post during the busy holiday season
.
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Canada Post employees began their strike Friday across Canada, including in Surrey, British Columbia.
Photo : - / Ben Nelms
A spokesperson for Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon indicated that the latter appointed Peter Simpson, director general of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, to manage the mediation process between the union and Canada Post.
The federal government ensures that these two groups have everything they need to reach an agreement
said the spokesperson for the Minister of Labor last Thursday.
With information from The Canadian Press
