"Experts highlight the pivotal role of public support for Canada Post workers on strike but stress the challenge of sustaining it over time."
Public support has played a crucial role for Canada Post workers who suspended mail services nationwide during their strike. However, experts suggest that sustaining this support becomes increasingly challenging as the strike extends.
"Strikes become tougher to uphold over time, especially if public backing wanes," remarked Larry Savage, a labour professor at Brock University. "The morale of the union heavily relies on this support."
For over four weeks, more than 55,000 postal workers have been on strike. Despite apparent deadlock, there’s a glimmer of hope. Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced Friday that he has tasked the Canada Industrial Relations Board with determining whether a negotiated agreement is feasible before year-end.
Should the board deem it unachievable, MacKinnon proposes that workers return to their duties under extended collective agreements until May 22, 2025, while a commission reviews the conflict and offers solutions.
Union negotiator Jim Gallant shared that workers on picket lines have received generous community support, including warm drinks, snacks, and even handmade gifts. However, public sentiment appears divided.
"I’m not convinced either side has won the public opinion battle," Savage observed. "While many are indifferent, those who care seem evenly split, with frustration mounting as the strike lingers." This sentiment was reflected in a recent poll where 34% sided with Canada Post and 29% with the union, leaving a significant portion undecided.
Online discussions mirror this split, showing both frustration with disruptions and solidarity with workers. Adam King, a labour studies professor at the University of Manitoba, noted that while online comments are easy to make, real-world actions, like joining picket lines, are more telling.
"In Winnipeg, we’ve witnessed strong support for the union from both the public and the broader labour movement," King said. He and Savage highlighted a growing trend of increased public empathy for striking workers, even in the public sector.
"The pandemic shifted perspectives," King added. "People understand the financial struggles workers face and are more sympathetic than in past years."
As Christmas approaches, King warned that maintaining support might become harder. Nonetheless, he places this strike within a broader context of rising solidarity with labour movements.
Business groups, however, have urged government intervention, citing financial losses during the holiday season. Shopify’s CEO, Tobi Lütke, declared Canada Post an essential service, opposing the strike. Yet Savage argued that strikes inherently disrupt normal operations to push employers toward compromise, even at the risk of alienating the public.
"The challenge lies in aligning union demands with public interests," Savage explained. "It’s a delicate balance."
Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, emphasized the importance of public support. "It boosts morale and pressures employers to negotiate," she said, noting the mounting strain on both sides as the strike continues. Maintaining momentum through media, social campaigns, and public outreach remains vital, Bruske added.
"When a strike stretches over weeks, it’s harder to see the resolution," she concluded. "Sustaining public focus is key to ensuring workers' voices are heard."