After seven months of failed negotiations, members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers went on strike last week, effectively halting the majority of mail service in parts of the country.
The strike began at 11:59 p.m. local time in Winnipeg on Thursday, June 2, after the union served a 72-hour strike notice on Monday, May 30th.
The next city to follow suit in the rotating strike schedule was Hamilton, Ont., which went on strike for 48 hours starting Friday evening.
Many rural post offices will be virtually unaffected by the strike, as the majority belong to different unions.
Service at both the Blairmore and Bellevue post offices, which are represented by the Canadian Postal Assistants Association (CPAA), will proceed as usual, barring a federal strike as opposed to a union specific one.
“It will be business as usual for us, unless there is a federal strike,” said Norma Desharnais. “Then there would be no mail in, and no mail out.”
However, the Coleman post office does belong to CUPW, and could see strike action.
As of Friday, Rural and Suburban Mail Carrier Rose Gail said she did not know if or when the Coleman office would see strike action, but that she would be more than willing if it does.
“When we know, that’s when the people will know,” she said, “and I’ll be there with my picket sign.”
Gail said that CUPW is fighting for the rights of RSMCs like her, who earn significantly less than other Canada Post employees.
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“Now they want to cut back even more because their volume has gone down 20 per cent,” said Gail. “That’s not right.”
Under the CUPW strike, the only mail which will be delivered are benefit cheques such as CPP, Old Age Security, Child Benefit, social assistance, and veterans’ pensions, as well as courier deliveries in urban areas.
Negotiations between CUPW, which represents approximately 50,000 Canadian postal workers, and Canada Post began last fall, prior to the union’s contract expiring on January 31st.
Primary sticking points include wage increases, benefits, and working conditions.
Union representatives submitted a proposal for a four-year contract with wage increases of 3.3 per cent in the first year and 2.75 per cent in years two, three and four.
The company countered with an offer of wage increases of 1.9 per cent for years one through three, and 2 per cent for year four.
After being unable to reach an agreement, the union received a 95 per cent strike mandate from its members.
The rotating strike schedule began with a 24-hour strike in Winnipeg, and could continue for some time.
In the case that the strike affects the Coleman post office, Pass Herald subscribers can pick up their copy of the paper at the office, located at 12925 20th Avenue in Blairmore.
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