Public support plays a crucial role in the success of a strike, experts agree, but as the Canada Post strike continues into its fifth week, maintaining that support is becoming increasingly difficult.
“As strikes drag on, it becomes harder to sustain momentum. If public backing diminishes, it can be demoralizing for the union,” said Larry Savage, a labour expert from Brock University.
More than 55,000 Canada Post workers have been on strike for over a month. Federal mediation efforts were suspended more than two weeks ago due to the wide gap between the two sides, and while recent proposals have been exchanged, there is no clear sign of progress toward a resolution. Both Canada Post and the union have publicly criticized each other’s demands and comments.
Despite this, the business community’s calls for government intervention have been rejected. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has consistently emphasized that it is the responsibility of both parties to reach an agreement through direct negotiations.
Jim Gallant, a negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), stated that on the picket lines, postal workers are receiving significant public support, including food, coffee, knitted hats, and even turkeys. However, Savage noted that public opinion has been mixed.
“It’s unclear whether either side is winning the public opinion battle,” said Savage. “It seems that many people are indifferent, while those who care appear to be equally divided between supporting Canada Post and the union. There is also frustration and surprise that the strike has continued for so long.”
This division was evident in a recent Angus Reid poll, conducted during the third week of the strike. The survey of over 3,000 Canadians found that 34% supported Canada Post and its demands, while 29% sided with the union. The remaining respondents were either unsure or did not support either side.
Social media posts reflect this split, with some users expressing frustration with the disruption, while others voice support for the striking postal workers. Adam King, an assistant professor of labour studies at the University of Manitoba, pointed out that online opinions don’t fully capture the situation.
“It’s easy to post a comment online, but it takes more effort to show up to a picket line,” King said. In Winnipeg, he observed strong support for the CUPW from both the labour movement and the public.
Both King and Savage noted a growing trend of higher public support for striking workers in recent years, particularly in sectors where strikes were once less popular.
“Canada Post isn’t a profit-driven, billionaire-owned corporation, which makes it somewhat more complicated for people to take sides,” said Savage. “It’s easier to criticize a grocery magnate than a public service like Canada Post.”
However, both experts agreed that public support for striking workers, especially in the public sector, has increased over the past few years, partly due to the pandemic. King added, “People understand that union members are facing a cost-of-living squeeze and are more sympathetic to their demands.”
As the strike continues, King warned that public opinion may shift, especially with the approach of the holiday season. “It might become more difficult to maintain public support as Christmas nears, but overall, I’d still consider this strike part of a broader pattern of stronger backing for striking workers,” he said.
Gallant acknowledged the pressure on both sides to reach a resolution, emphasizing that the union does not want to be responsible for disrupting the Christmas season.
Business associations have argued that the strike is harming small business owners during the crucial holiday period. The day the strike began, Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke posted on social media, asserting that Canada Post is an essential service and should not be allowed to strike.
Savage, however, pointed out that the purpose of strikes is to disrupt business as usual, thereby pressuring employers to negotiate. At the same time, he warned that strikes risk alienating the public if they drag on too long.
“The key challenge for the union is to align its demands with the public’s interests, which is a difficult balancing act,” said Savage.
Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, stressed the importance of public support during strikes, as it boosts morale on the picket lines and increases pressure on employers to negotiate. “They are in a tough spot, but there’s pressure on both the employer and the union,” she said.
Bruske added that as the strike continues for weeks, it becomes harder to envision a resolution. To maintain momentum, the Canadian Labour Congress and other labour organizations use social media, email campaigns, and media outreach. “Maintaining public support is essential for the success of the strike,” she concluded.
