Shopify’s CEO is facing some pretty harsh criticism online after taking to social media to share his opinion on the Canada Post strike.
On Friday at 12:01 am ET, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) said that over 55,000 employees were beginning a nationwide strike after failing to reach an agreement with the Crown corporation.
“Canada Post had the opportunity to prevent this strike, but it has refused to negotiate real solutions to the issues postal workers face every day,” reads a statement from the union.
“Instead, Canada Post left us no choice when it threatened to change our working conditions and leave our members exposed to layoffs.”
On the same day, Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke stated that the 67,000 small businesses on Shopify that rely on Canada Post will be affected during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend.
“This should not be allowed,” he stated.
At least 67k small businesses on Shopify use Canada Post, and will be affected by them going on strike right on BFCM weekend. Canada Post has a government monopoly on delivering to P.O. boxes and is the only carrier supplying rural areas. This should not be allowed.
— tobi lutke (@tobi) November 15, 2024
One person reminded him that workers are “striking for a reason” to get fair wages and better working conditions.
Lutke then responded that he’s against anyone who threatens his “customers’ livelihoods” and is, therefore, “anti unions that do this.”
i’m anti whoever threatens my customer’s livelihoods. I’m definitely anti unions that do this.
— tobi lutke (@tobi) November 15, 2024
Many were angered by his comments, with one person describing his comments as “out of touch and tone-deaf.”
Threatens your customers’ livelihood? What about the livelihoods of those who work at Canada Post, or do those not matter to a billionaire? Seriously.
— Stewart Green (@StewartGreen81) November 15, 2024
Exactly. He’s so out of touch and tone-deaf. Must be nice to pontificate from such a lofty tower.
— stonkslaboratory (@stonkslab) November 16, 2024
Exactly
And like a billionaire actually cares about workers. They wouldn’t be one if they did
Eat the rich
— Bert Raccoon (@Memphizzle) November 16, 2024
You’re nothing without the people on the ground doing the work, maybe show workers a bit of respect
— Djungel Unchained 🇵🇸 (@DjungelEnhanced) November 16, 2024
Workers deserve a fair contract negotiated in good faith.
— Antennas to Harvest (@antennasharvest) November 15, 2024
So you’re anti whoever prevents you from getting richer.
In other words, greedy.
— A (@ATMLTHFC) November 16, 2024
It’s called leverage. You know. Like how you try to pressure the gov’t into getting what *you* want? Cough capital gains cough
— B (@blmillsto) November 15, 2024
One X user highlighted a Shopify employee review, stating that the working conditions described are “the reason why unions exist.”
What you do to your employees is why unions exist, and why Shopify employees could use one 🙄🤷
What else you’re against that unions got for workers? Maternity leave, minimum wage, safety standards, child labour, weekends?
No one has ever been on the right side of history… pic.twitter.com/UI8L3Mv3QC
— Viktor Nagornyy (@V1ktor) November 15, 2024
One person who claimed to be a Canada Post worker said that Lutke should use his influence to help start negotiations rather than suggesting an overhaul of the mail system.
we’re ready to work the second we get a fair deal. maybe you should use your influence to pressure the corporation to start negotiating in good faith rather than trying to revamp the mail system at the bargaining table.
ofc we have a monopoly on PO boxes. they’re our PO boxes
— crocodile marcel, m.d. 🇵🇸 ON STRIKE (@grilledscheese_) November 15, 2024
A Shopify customer replied to Lutke’s comments, saying that they’re “absolutely embarrassed” to be working with Shopify. Another said they’re removing their shop from the platform.
i am now absolutely embarrassed my shop is hosted on shopify. genuinely how dare you
— b✨ (@brittania_) November 16, 2024
I am moving off the Shopify platform because of this statement
— waterbottle (@wattabottlelo) November 16, 2024
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
With files from Isabelle Docto