More than 55,000 postal workers will be picketing across the country as the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), the union that represents Canada Post, has entered a nationwide strike on Nov. 15.
On the morning of Nov 12, a 72-hour strike notice was issued to Canada Post for both the Rural Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) and Urban Operations bargaining units. It was later decided that a nation-wide strike of both bargaining units would officially begin on Nov. 15 at 12 a.m. EST.
In a statement by CUPW, the decision came after a year of bargaining with little progress being made. It outlines that Canada Post had the opportunity to prevent this strike, but refused to negotiate. They add that Canada Post left the union no choice after it threatened to change their working conditions and leave members exposed to layoffs.
“Our demands are reasonable: fair wages, safe working conditions, the right to retire with dignity, and the expansion of services at the public post office,” the statement read. “Postal workers are proud to serve their communities, and we want to do the job we love.
“A strike is a last resort. We still believe we can achieve negotiated collective agreements, but Canada Post must be willing to resolve our new and outstanding issues.”
In terms of common unresolved issues, according to the CUPW bulletin, they list several requests including wage increases in line with inflation, 10 additional paid medical days, improvements to their group benefits plan, precautionary cessation of work for pregnant and breastfeeding employees, and improved protections against harassment and technological change.
The RSMC are requesting job security, an hourly rate system, a validation process, 8-hour route improvements, corporate vehicles, improved rights for on-call relief employees, coverage of all absences, paid meal and rest periods, and involvement in service expansion projects.
Finally, urban operation workers request the elimination of Separate Sort from Delivery, time to prepare and deliver neighbourhood mail, improved staff provisions, improved rights for temporary employees, rotation of duties for specific groups, paid meal and rest for workers working five hours or more, contracting in work that CUPW members can perform, and service expansion projects.
According to updates by Canada Post, their operations will continue, adding that they will continue to make deliveries while making every effort to minimize service disruptions. Canada Post is alerting customers to be prepared for any possible delays in the processing and delivery of mail and parcels.
