As the Canadian postal strike heads towards week three, Canadian postal workers are determined to stand united regarding issues on working conditions says Aaron Arseneau of CUPW local 758 from Kamloops, in a recent interview with Black Press on Monday, Dec. 2.
"I'd like to commend our small, rural offices in Barriere and Clearwater. Our workers in the North Thompson are doing an amazing job so kudos to them and kudos to all of our small offices," said Arseneau, adding he wouldn't want the smaller offices to feel isolated.
He went on to give an update on the state of negotiations, explaining mediators are working with both parties to review their demands and bring them closer together.
"We are still too far away for any real talks from my perspective," Arseneau said. "We want to preserve our good permanent and full and part-time positions that come with the benefits and the pension that supports the middle class of Canada to help drive the economy."
Once the two parties have reworked their bargaining positions, he hopes that will move them back to the table. The last thing CUPW members want to see is gig workers being brought in or forced back to work legislation.
Arseneau said both parties have brought their case back to the mediator who will decide if enough progress has been made to start talks up again.
"From my perspective it seems like they want to cut the benefits. CUPW has always worked weekends and nights, so I don't understand why Canada Post wants to change the way everything is done," he said.
Areseneau told Black Press many are volunteering their own time to make sure children's letters to Santa are still being mailed and replies delivered back to families as well as other essential deliveries like pension and socio-economic cheques.
"We want to be delivering Christmas for Canadians" he said.
Arseneau said the labour minister hasn't indicated postal workers will be legislated to return to work which he said is a huge win.
"I'm hoping Canada Post sits down again and starts bargaining in good faith. If that happened and we all come to terms on things it could all potentially be over this week. Once they start talking it can be a pretty fast process to get a few of the major items decided on then we could move on from there."
When asked about people being able to still get some mail out before Christmas if postal workers get back to work soon, he added: "Yes, there will be a backlog but we will be motivated together to get the mail out and moving as fast as we can."
The longer the strike goes on however, the less likely they will be able to do this.
"We aren't getting paid, and it's been a big ask on our members to show the solidarity and the willingness to be out for this long to fight for the contract they know they need."
In a statement to the Canadian Press on Monday, Dec. 2 Canada Post says it has presented the union representing some 55,000 striking postal workers with a framework to reach negotiated agreements.
More to come…
