Postal workers hit the picket lines

Unionized postal workers formed picket lines in the cold, wet weather outside the Canada Post hub in Halifax on Friday.

They held handmade signs reading “Proud to be a postie” and “Postman Pat deserves better than that.”

The picket lines surround the Almon Street sorting station. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) stood in the rain holding signs to demand wage increases.

CUPW went on a nationwide strike beginning Friday morning just after midnight, but its negotiations with Canada Post began a year ago.

Union members on the picket lines refused to comment. However, Dwayne Corner, CUPW Nova local president, said the union had no choice but to take job action.

“It’s unfortunate that we are at this point,” said Corner. “We’ve been forced into this position by the corporation as they refused to bargain in good faith.”

In an online statement, the national office of CUPW said the union is demanding wage increases, safer working conditions, enhanced retirement benefits, and the expansion of postal services.

Corner said, “We’re not just fighting for ourselves, as we are fighting for future workers too.”

Earlier this month, Canada Post stated it needed more flexibility in its future operations.

“Significant change is required to our delivery model,” the corporation stated on Nov. 5. “A flexible delivery model will improve Canada Post’s services for customers and help the company grow the business.”

In an online post Friday, the corporation stated the “strike will cause service delays for Canadians.” Mail will not be processed or delivered for the duration of the strike and some post offices will be closed. Once operations resume, items will be “secured and delivered as soon as possible.”

This could be an issue for Canadians sending documents to the government.

A press release from Service Nova Scotia advised people to use online services in government correspondence. They recommend sending information by email, fax, or dropping off documents in person.

The union has picket lines near the Canada Post front entrance on Almon Street and near the back entrance on Monaghan Drive.

Other signs held by the postal workers read, “Equal pay for equal work” and “No tiered wages.”