Returning to Canada Post post-strike? London business owners consider the options | CBC News

As the Canada Post strike drags on, some business owners in London say increased shipping costs are starting to hurt at a time when they should be making money. 

Postal workers walked off the job Nov. 15 over salary increases, living cost allowances, and improved rights for temporary workers, among other demands.

Joe Todd, general manager of Camera Canada in downtown London, says his shipping costs through Purolator and UPS have risen by approximately 30 per cent.

“A week into the strike, what we noticed is the express rates went up. It’s supply and demand,” Todd said.

Still, he’s considering signing a contract with the private shipper, who is willing to offer him a better overall deal than the one he has had with Canada Post.  

“For us is a bit of a kind of a breaking point. We’ve kind of lost faith in management at Canada Post,” Todd said.

For London business owner Alayna Hryclik, who runs the clothing brand Soft Flirt, the lengthy strike has meant delivering orders herself and relying on discounted rates at UPS, but she’s hoping to return to using Canada Post when the strike ends.

Both spoke with London Morning host Andrew Brown about their experiences.

WATCH | London business owners changing their shipping habits during postal strike: