3 minute read
Canada Post Strike
Canada Post Strike
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Workers with Canada Post, approximately 55,000 strong, went on a nation-wide strike Nov. 15.
Canada Post is classified as an essential service, which allows the federal government to introduce legislation if it wants to in order to end a work stoppage. This measure has been used several times, including during the last two Canada Post strikes, in 2011 and 2018.
Representatives from Canada Post and the postal workers union sat down with a special mediator Monday, (Nov. 18) but no deal was reached by the two parties despite the fact a mediator was appointed to reach a new contract agreement.
The union is calling for a cumulative wage hike of 24 percent over four years, while Canada Post has offered an 11.5 percent increase. Other issues include job security, benefits and contract work for parcel delivery on weekends.
On Nov. 15, the Government of Alberta issued a news release, stating that steps were being taken to ensure that critical mail between Albertans and the government continues to flow.
“Starting Tuesday, Nov. 19, mail can be accepted from Albertans at designated Alberta government offices across the province to ensure it reaches the proper destination. No stamps are required.
Albertans who receive mail from the provincial government will receive a notification by email or phone indicating where and when they can pick-up/drop-off their mail. Alberta’s government will never ask for personal information over the phone or for anyone to click on a link in an email. Non-critical mail will be held by the originating department until Canada Post mail service resumes.
Some departments are participating in a Canada Post program to deliver social-economic cheques once a month during the disruption. Many departments that issue cheques also offer direct deposit. For more information, or to inquire about signing up for direct deposit, Albertans should contact the government department that issues the payment.”
According to Canada Post, “Customers will experience delays due to the strike activity. Mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered for the duration of the national strike, and some post offices will be closed. Service guarantees will be impacted for items already in the postal network. No new items will be accepted until the national disruption is over.
Items will be delivered as quickly as possible once operations resume
All mail and parcels in the postal network will be secured and delivered as quickly as possible on a first-in, first-out basis once operations resume. However, a national strike of any length will impact service to Canadians well after the strike activity ends. Shutting down facilities across the country will affect Canada Post’s entire national network. Processing and delivery may take some time to fully return to normal.”
