Imagine Canada encourages Canadians to support Charities through postal strike during crucial giving season
On Friday, November 15, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers began a national strike after more than a year of negotiations with Canada Post related to compensation and benefits. Mail and parcel delivery have halted, and many Canada Post locations are closed.
Direct mail fundraising appeals remain one of the primary fundraising methods for critical annual donations. The giving season is the most important fundraising period in the sector, with a significant proportion of annual revenues for many organizations being contributed during the last six weeks of the year. A long-term postal strike will substantially hamper the sector’s fundraising results for 2024. This is happening at a time when many parts of the sector are struggling with a combination of increased operating costs, increased demand and labour and volunteer shortages. We encourage charities and nonprofits to take action to attempt to minimize the strike’s impact, such as by following the strategies recommended by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Imagine Canada encourages Canadians to show their support for charities and nonprofits by donating money and giving their time during the crucial giving season. Donating online, by phone or in-person are the most effective ways to give for the duration of the postal strike. Additionally, many organizations rely on earned income through social enterprise activities, such as running stores or cafes. Now is a great time to support charities and nonprofits by doing some holiday shopping or having a snack at a local social enterprise.
Postal workers are essential to our country’s economic and social wellbeing, and we support their right to strike as a fundamental part of their efforts to secure fair working conditions. Imagine Canada encourages both Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to engage in good faith negotiations toward a timely and fair resolution to this labour dispute.