The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says while the Omicron variant has played some role in mail slowdowns people are seeing recently, the main factor postal workers in this province are contending with is what it calls the “mother nature effect.”

President Craig Dyer says nine Canada Post employees have tested positive in the metro area since New Year’s Eve, and some others are isolating. But, those cases have been investigated and it’s business as usual for employees.

He says COVID has had an impact as staffing levels are changing from day-to-day, but one of the biggest things they’re combating right now is the weather—pointing to the recent blizzard in Toronto, weather in BC last November, and the washouts on the west coast of the island.

Dyer says staffing is an issue, but it’s not a huge issue at the moment. However, he does note that more staff is something they were fighting for prior to COVID.