A Canadian postal strike was averted after Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers reached a negotiated settlement. The looming strike was of concern to online buyers and sellers conducting trade in Canada. eBay sellers aware of a possible strike had expressed concern in mid-July, explaining it would not be cost efficient to use courier services to ship the small items they sell. The strike deadline was extended several times during negotiations, and after eight months of intense bargaining, the two parties reached a tentative collective agreement that provides full job security for all regular union employees.