The Canadian Postal Workers Union has issued 72 hour strike notice.
The notice stops short of a full walkout, but lays out actions for the union who’s strike mandate was set to expire at midnight.
The Federal Labour Minister offered to help negotiations with a special mediator earlier today, however that appear to have fallen through.
President of Local Union 812, Tami Brushey says the union agreed to the mediator, and believes the offer showed Ottawa is on the side of the union.
“To me, it means the government doesn’t want a strike, we’re very aware in my workplace we don’t want to strike either, were looking for a negotiated agreement, not job action. ”
Job action will begin on Monday morning.
“We don’t want to impact the public, we don’t want to impact the business. We actually don’t want to strike. Initially, our job action will be very small. What we’re looking at is a refusal of overtime for urban workers and the rural and suburban mail carriers will be asked to adhere to their scheduled hours.
Issues include a new pension structure for new workers, and pay equity for rural postal workers, who make nearly 30% less than their urban counterparts.