Last week, Andrea Stairs, Managing Director of eBay Canada, wrote a letter to Deepak Chopra, President & CEO of Canada Post, and Mike Palecek, National President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), expressing eBay’s concern with the uncertainty resulting from the ongoing Canada Post/CUPW labor negotiations. In her letter to the negotiating parties, Stairs stated that the situation has had a negative impact on Canadian small and medium businesses (SMBs) who face increased costs as a result of having to prepare for a potential service disruption.  

Technology-enabled retailers, including the Canadian SMBs who trade on eBay, rely on Canada Post to serve customers both in Canada and around the globe. Simultaneously, Canada Post benefits tremendously from small business ecommerce, with parcel services having become one of Canada Post’s most important lines of business. Unfortunately, the labor uncertainty has eroded confidence in Canada Post, highlighted by the corporation’s July 8th announcement that ecommerce volumes had declined by more than 80%. In reaction to this uncertainty, Canadian SMBs have adapted their businesses to develop alternative shipping arrangements outside of Canada Post. 

Ultimately, the ongoing negotiations create unnecessary work for Canadian SMB’s and jeopardize parcel volume for Canada Post.  eBay urges the parties involved in these negotiations to come to a long-term agreement that restores certainty in Canada’s postal service and ensures consistent, reliable support for small business eRetailers.

Click here for up-to-date information on the status of these critical negotiations.