By Jesse Robitaille
Philatelists have voiced their “deep concern” about Canada’s ongoing postal strike in an open letter to the country’s postal service and political officials.
The strike, which began on Nov. 15, “is having a devastating impact on Canada’s philatelic community … and is hastening the decline of our postal service – a cornerstone of our nation’s history and heritage,” wrote Canadian Stamp Dealers Association (CSDA) President Angelo Komatsoulis. The letter urges “immediate action to resolve the current impasse and restore full operations at Canada Post.”
“While we understand the importance of fair negotiations and respect the rights of workers, prolonged disruptions in service are having far-reaching consequences. … I strongly urge you to prioritize this issue and work toward a resolution that ensures Canada Post resumes full operations as soon as possible. The future of our postal service – and the communities and industries that rely on it – depends on decisive action.”
Komatsoulis, who also spoke on CBC’s Daybreak Montréal show on Nov. 26, addressed the CSDA’s open letter – with the subject line “Immediate Action Needed to End the Canada Post Strike and Protect Our Hobby and Industry” – to Canada Post President and CEO Doug Ettinger, Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon. The association also sent a copy to all CSDA dealer members plus several media outlets.
The philatelic community, as well as other industries related to small businesses, immediately felt the strike’s effects, spurring one dealer to organize a response a week after the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) announced its “last resort” nationwide shutdown.
Long-time dealer and auctioneer Brian Grant Duff, the owner of All Nations Stamp & Coin in Vancouver, B.C., emailed several of his fellow CSDA members on Nov. 22.
“A strike and lockout at Canada Post are hastening the decline of our postal service and threatening our hobby,” wrote Duff, who encouraged philately dealers and associations to forward a “simple request” to various politicians: “Get Canada Post working.”
As of Nov. 26 – a dozen days after more than 55,000 CUPW members went on strike, halting delivery and shuttering post offices across the country – Canada Post released a statement noting the two sides’ “limited progress” as “talks grind to a halt.”
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