09:07 AM EST, 11/14/2024 (MT Newswires) -- The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) Thursday said it's disappointed by the potential for yet another work stoppage impacting small businesses and is urging Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to quickly come to an agreement to avoid any disruption as the country heads into the holiday shopping season.

While many Canadians may not depend on Canada Post as much as they once did, small businesses often rely on the postal system to ship goods, send marketing materials to consumers, send invoices and receive payments from suppliers and business customers, noted CFIB.

A strong majority of 79% of small businesses rely on Canada Post services to do business. Three-quarters of small firms said they will be negatively affected by a work stoppage, particularly with challenges to cash flow due to delayed invoices and checks and higher cost delivery alternatives, it pointed out in a note.

With the critical holiday shopping season around the corner and limited alternatives in many parts of Canada, avoiding a postal disruption is important, added CFIB.

The association is asking both parties to negotiate in good faith and reach a quick resolution for the sake of Canadian small businesses and consumers. CFIB will call on the federal government to use all its powers -- including binding arbitration or back-to-work legislation -- to keep the postal system working if negotiations are unsuccessful.