Return to work for Canada Post employees: too little too late for many Quebec families

Even if Canada Post mail service can resume on Monday after weeks of strike, it is already too little too late for the Christmas gifts and festivities of many Quebec families.

• Also read: End of the postal strike: a Quebec bookstore relieved, even if the damage is already done

• Also read: “No more Canada Post, and not just for me”: despite the return to work, the strike will leave its mark on SMEs

• Also read: Ottawa orders Canada Post employees to return to work

“It has been poorly managed for a month,” says Marie-Chantal Amesse, a resident of Rouyn-Noranda, in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, on the line.

Like many Quebecers, this 46-year-old mother saw her holiday season ruined by negotiations between Canada Post and its employees.

Ms. Amesse and her partner have been saving for three years to afford to travel. They had chosen to spend time in sunny Mexico for the holidays.

At the end of October, they sent a request to obtain the passports of their children aged 4 and 8. Everything was supposed to be sent by mail, but the labor dispute arose.

Big disappointment…

“It’s still a disappointment for my children, for whom this was to be the first trip. It was definitely a lot of stress for the whole family,” says Marie-Chantal Amesse, who “fortunately” had not already made reservations.

“I find it appalling that the government papers were not returned or that the government did not take another carrier,” she laments.

Faced with public discontent, the federal government finally intervened yesterday to order a return to work at Canada Post, even if negotiations continue.

“Canadians cannot continue to suffer the consequences of this impasse,” federal Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon said at a press conference.

The damage has already been done, however, confirmed citizens interviewed by The Journalas they continued their shopping.

Sarah Coblentz hoped to send her family in France some nice packages, like mugs and toques bearing the image of Montreal, as well as maple syrup.

“I had already planned for a long time. I wanted to drop them off three weeks ago, but I couldn’t [à cause de la grève] “, said the woman who was shopping in a toy store on Mont-Royal Avenue.

“I’m going to go through another [entreprise] because it’s certain that it won’t happen in time,” says Ms. Coblentz.

Several Montrealers made sure to avoid unpleasant surprises. For Constance Callies, met at Joubec, it is, for example, an opportunity to go and buy the items yourself, in the branch.

“I’m very much a local business person, I like to encourage them,” says the Plateau-Mont-Royal resident.

…and relief

Some businesses have also breathed a sigh of relief at the Trudeau government’s announcement.

“In terms of operations, it’s sure to help us,” says Aude Meunier-Rochon, communications manager for the Pantoute bookstore in Quebec.

“It has had a significant impact on what we are able to deliver, in terms of orders,” she notes.

The Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) criticized Ottawa’s exit.

“It’s an extreme disappointment,” said spokesperson Yannick Scott on TVA Nouvelles.

– With the collaboration of Gabriel Côté