Over 55-thousand postal workers from across the country including the 200 members representing Prince George, Vanderhoof, Mackenzie, Fraser Lake and Burns Lake could walk off the job as soon as Friday.
This after the Canadian Union of Postal Workers issued a strike notice following the release of an industrial commission’s report recommended that Canada Post end door to door mail delivery and institute weekend deliveries with part-time employees.
As for whether the strike notice will be a full-scale walk out or rotational, Local CUPW 812 President Nicole Chouinard told Vista Radio that decision hasn’t been made.
“What that looks like here for us locally will be determined by 9pm on Thursday. Anything could happen for us and we are not sure what that looks like (job action).”
Chouinard added the report did nothing to suggest service improvement for those living in rural and remote areas.
“It’s disheartening. It would have a huge impact on Canadians across the country in rural areas especially and that report didn’t take into account all of the submissions made by the public.”
“What Canada Post needs is revenue producing options and not cutbacks. It is unfortunate that report didn’t focus on the fact the last ten years Canada Post has been making money. It is possible for this corporation to make money and for the money to be returned to the federal government.”
“People who do this job, love this job. It is Canada Post that walked away from the negotiations table last week and the union wants to negotiate. The only way forward for us is a fair and negotiated contract. It is the eleventh hour, what are we waiting for.”
The commission was set up by Ottawa after it ended the month-long walkout in December.
The union said the report is heavily-biased in favour of Canada Post.
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