TIMMINS - Local postal workers were on the picket line today as part of a nationwide strike.
CUPW local 624 president Ed Yee said many of the members in Timmins are concerned about how the Canada Post strike will be handled.
“Most people who have been there for a while, all of us believe we’ll be legislated back to work,” said Yee. “The only variance is some people think it’ll be one week, and some think it’ll be two.”
The Canada Post strike involving about 55,000 unionized workers started today (Nov. 15).
With postal workers on the picket lines packages may be delayed.
Canada Post released a statement at 4:30 p.m. saying that packages already in the system will be affected by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) strike. No new packages are being accepted until the job action is resolved.
The statement says that some Canada Post locations will be closed but did not include any details on where those closures would occur.
“This decision will have a significant and immediate impact on millions of Canadians, small businesses, and charities who count on Canada Post during the busy holiday season,” said Phil Legault, Canada Post media relations, in an email statement. “As well, a national strike by CUPW means service to remote and Northern regions that rely on Canada Post is shut down.”
Yee said the hope is Canada Post will negotiate in good faith.
“People can call or write to their MP and say negotiate, don’t legislate,” said Yee.
Canada Post laid out its current offer in the Nov. 15 email and it includes annual wage increases of 11.5 per cent over four years, protections for workers’ pensions, enhanced leave entitlements, and job security provisions.
CUPW lists cost of living increases, corporate vehicles for rural/suburban carriers, work/life balance, pensions, and health and safety issues on its website as chief sticking points in negotiations. The last offer put forth by the union on Nov. 5 asks for a 22 per cent wage increase over four years.
Yee said that concern about a new pension program are at the front of many members’ minds during the strike.
“Right now, nobody’s winning,” Yee said. “They need to figure it out.”
