Postal disruption a possibility

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have put Canada Post, and Canadians, on notice of possible disruptions to mail delivery services starting next week. The union is warning of rotating strikes, which would be smaller-scale, localized and temporary work stoppages – rather than a full, country-wide walkout.

The public sector union, representing some 50,000 mail carriers across the country, issued the mandatory 72-hour “strike notice” on Tuesday, giving them the option to begin strike action as early as Monday at 12:01 a.m. if the union and management fail to reach a new deal by then.

“Some of the problems we’ve been dealing with that we brought to Canada Post in these negotiations is that we’ve been trying to deal with major issues of health and safety, preserving good full-time jobs obviously, half-decent pay increase that is at least above inflation,” explained Steven Hinschberger, president of the Kitchener-Waterloo chapter of the union.

Using rotating strikes, the union is hoping to put pressure on their employers at Canada Post while keeping limited disruptions to the public.

Canada Post has said they are working quickly with the union towards a resolution.

“Canada Post has made significant offers to CUPW which include increased wages, job security, and improved benefits and has not asked for any concessions in return,” said the Crown corporation in a media statement.

“We value the relationship with the union and have been able to find common ground on some issues and have also committed to work together constructively on several important files.”