We want to hear from you—Canada Post labour disruptions

[happy_pigeon]

Hi all,

With Canada Post rotating strikes continuing for the third week with no indication of a resolution between Canada Post and CUPW, the eBay Canada team are looking to hear from Canadian sellers about the impact of the strikes on their business.

Feedback and examples from our seller community helps us to better advocate for you. If you're comfortable with sharing your experience, we want to hear from you, whether you've felt an impact from the postal labour disruptions or not.

Some members of my team (someone other than myself or Tyler) may reach out to you via PM for more information after you post in this thread. We look forward to hearing your stories!

[momcqueen]

You guys are cracking me up.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Attempting to keep my sense of humour(humor to humour our US spellcheck program) during this ongoing situation. Getting very difficult with sales being few and far between. A percentage of my business is to businesses. They need delivery to be reliable and affordable. Neither of those options are currently available.

-CM

[momcqueen]

Well, anticipate a flood of sales overnight and tomorrow as news hits postal workers are ordered back to work. Right?

[momcqueen]

Also, I gave up trying to write my super long name on those things a long time ago. Now, I make an unintelligible mark not unlike a big X and secretly watch to see if the carrier even notices. Next time, you should try writing a bad word instead of your name. But do it sloppily so you can at least deny it later with some degree of believability. 

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Like the song says..."We can dream about it"...Well, that is if we are still able to sleep!!

-CM

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Maybe it's more like a nightmare!!!

[cumos55]

This discussion has dealt with the effect of labor disruption, up to the end of the strike action by CUPW.

We now enter into the adjustment period after the strike has ended.

This discussion should be closed, and a new discussion should be opened

Two things should be followed in the new discussion.... which becomes an after the strike record

(1) Sales.....  A post strike record.... compared to previous years..... Before Christmas  sales

(2)  Parcels moving in the postal system....  Delays, or not... tracking within Canada and to the US and elsewhere.... also items mailed without tracking

This record will show how a strike initiated by CUPW has an effect beyond the end of the strike.

Another concern will be the effect of the backlog of parcels and more   on the postal system after the strike.... and then mail from outside of Canada

We need this new record to show the total effect of the strike on our use of Canada as sellers on eBay.

[what-sales-direct]

@happy_pigeon

Can we get defect removed for cases closed without seller resolution: for an item not received case escalated by the buyer without giving the seller extra time for the item to arrive.  

[retroman_studios]

I believe the action you need to take is call customer service and explain the situation and they will be able to appeal the defect and remove it.

Of course, before the case closes without your action phone eBay they can extend the case timeline as stated in various announcements.

[cumos55]

Closing this discussion, and opening a new discussion, may not work because what has happened is a transition to what will happen over the next 30 days, and perhaps beyond.

[momcqueen]

Is eBay going to warn or caution buyers about the following? https://www.canadapost.ca/web/en/comm/alert/details.page?article=2018/11/27/unprecedented_backlo&cat...

[tyler@ebay]

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@what-sales-direct wrote:

@happy_pigeon

Can we get defect removed for cases closed without seller resolution: for an item not received case escalated by the buyer without giving the seller extra time for the item to arrive.  

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Hi @what-sales-direct - automated protections should be in place and update weekly. However, if it's been more than a week since the account got a defect you can definitely contact CS and they'll be able to take a look into what happened. 

[cumos55]

From the CUPW website   .....dated November 28, 2018

"This morning, we were informed that members of several major unions in British Columbia have set up picket-lines at the Pacific Processing Centre, the third largest mail plant in the country.  In solidarity with postal workers, the protest-line will allow workers in, but will not allow mail out."

The strike continues..

Allow workers in... but... mail not allowed out...

This is the last thing anyone wants to hear.

[cumos55]

The following presents the importance of parcels to Canada Post..

From the Canada Post website......

"Parcels revenue increased by $106 million or 21.2 per cent in the third quarter, and volumes increased by 14 million pieces or 23.3 per cent compared to the same period in 2017. Domestic Parcels, the largest product category, continued to grow, as revenue increased by $92 million or 25.7 per cent and volumes grew by seven million pieces or 18.1 per cent in the third quarter. In the first three quarters of 2018, Parcels revenue increased by $322 million or 21.8 per cent, and volumes increased by 44 million pieces or 26.7 per cent when compared to the same period in 2017.  For Domestic Parcels, revenue increased by $249 million or 23.2 per cent and volumes grew by 19 million pieces or 16.6 per cent in the first three quarters of 2018, compared to the same period a year earlier. The increases in revenue and volumes were driven by a strong performance from major commercial customers and a solid delivery performance, as well as the continued growth in e-commerce as consumers continue to order more products online."

This says it all..... Parcels are an important part of Canada Post's revenue.....  As e-commerce sellers we on eBay,  and other online sellers, are an important part of Canada Post's revenue.

The Union chooses to ignore us... Yet our use of Canada Post contributes to their salaries!

[cumos55]

The strike is  over,   but the Canada Post mess  may take months to disappear.

How can we sell online if buyers might get their purchase a month, or months  after the day of purchase?

If this mess does not clear up soon....  my selling on eBay may end

[silverpinups]

The strike continues..

Allow workers in... but... mail not allowed out...

This is the last thing anyone wants to hear.

If the Postal workers breach the back to work legislation implemented by the Government then they will face disciplinary action in the form of monetary fines or suspensions leading to termination of employment.  

Postal Workers need to get their act together because there are thousands of people (working in the private sector or unemployed) waiting and willing to take their place if the opportunity arises.       

[forester_studios]

This is completely ILLEGAL! CP needs to call the police and arrest these idiots! No one has the right to block public roads. These people think they are above the law.

[forester_studios]

We are the customers whose money Canada post uses to pay them. Do they think they will get more when we are out of business? Insanity!

[forester_studios]

I think a lot of Canadian sellers are wondering if Canada is no longer a place where small business can exist.

[momcqueen]

I think Canada Post and CUPW owe small online sellers like us an explanation and I want to see a panel discussion here, on the ebay Canada Community board, with Canada Post and CUPW reps invited to assure us that we, as the customers, matter. It's the least they can do.