Update:
Special mediator, Peter Simpson was appointed by the federal government to begin mediation last week and new talks will take place starting today, Monday Nov. 18 between the the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post. This will be the fourth day of the strike across the country as workers continue to picket.
Original:
CUPW issued strike notice across the country for approximately 60,000 members as of 9:01 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14.
As the strike gets underway in the North Thompson Valley, the first day of part-time picketing started on Friday Nov. 15 at 9 a.m. with three CUPW employees picketing.
"The picket line will resume on Monday, Nov. 18 at 9 a.m. with four workers on the line and Barriere's post office will begin their picket line that day also," said striking Clearwater postal carrier Courtney Lapshinoff on Saturday.
"We would rather not have to do this now before the holidays but perhaps it will bring Canada Post back to the negotiating table. During Covid in 2022 we signed in good faith as we were seen as super necessary at that time, I mean personally I believe we are necessary all of the time, but then we extended the contract and decided to stay in hopes that Canada Post would then negotiate with us. During this round they haven't in this past year. They have not moved on a single contract point. Not a single point has been settled," said vice-president Aaron Arseneau of CUPW local 758 from Kamloops on Saturday when speaking with Black Press.
Arseneau said in his perspective "this is the best time to get Canada Post back to the bargaining table" because in his view "they don't want to lose the revenue during this time of year" adding, "We all love our jobs, we love delivering the mail and parcels, we are all also customers of Canada Post and our families are affected by this strike as well."
Arseneau has been working for Canada Post since 2012 and is married with two "dog kids" starting his postal career when he was 23-years-old.
When asked what his message to the public would be right now he said, "I would say, please give us your support and try to put pressure on Canada Post to negotiate in good faith. I think across the board all working people are facing similar struggles when it comes to payments, their pension, health and safety. To the workers themselves we are all in this together and as unionized workers we stand up for each other. No matter who you are across the country people are having a hard time paying rent, buying food and supporting their families. I think we all have to stand up and start demanding more from these companies that we work for. We make the money for them. Hopefully this will be resolved soon."
In Clearwater, Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA) post office assistant, Jonathan Galenza told Black Press on Friday that some services will still be offered during the strike for now, "The Clearwater and Barriere post offices remain open to the public selling MoneyGrams and money orders, gift cards, stamps, coins and packaging supplies. We facilitate mail forwarding and hold mail service. Amazon returns may also be brought into the post office but won't be sent out until after the strike is over. We are a different union although both unions do contract with Canada Post."
The Canada Post website is providing updated information during the strike and states: "Canada Post and CUPW have agreed to continue the delivery of socio-economic (social assistance) cheques during any upcoming labour disruption, for eligible and participating government organizations. The agreement ensures government financial assistance delivered by mail will reach seniors and other Canadians who rely on it.
Socio-economic cheques for the month of November will be delivered on November 20. Canadians will receive their cheques the same way they normally receive their mail.
CUPW issued a statement on Friday, Nov. 15 that reads: "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. 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."
More to come...
