With so many other options available for communicating with friends and family, a shutdown of the postal service is not as big a deal as it once was. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers presented their final offer, which was rejected, to Canada Post and issued a strike notice. Months long negotiations have not been productive. Declining mail volume leaves Canada Post needing concessions, but the union calls them excessive and seems unwilling to budge.

QUESTIONS:

1. Discuss the reasons why the union might strike.
2. If, as the writer of the article indicates, the bargaining power of the union has been weakened, how can it protect its membership? Is there any alternative other than accepting concessions demanded by Canada Post? Is the situation here indicative of a national trend or is it limited to the postal service? Provide a rationale for your answer.
3. [Chapter 10] Does the union’s position reflect resistance to change? Why or why not? How should Canada Post respond?

SOURCE: M. Babad, “Would Anyone Care If Postal Workers Strike on Thursday?” Globe and Mail (Retrievable online at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/top-business-stories/would-anyone-care-if-postal-workers-strike-on-thursday/article2039904/)