CUPW's strikes return to Vancouver impacting a major Canada Post processing centre

OTTAWA, Nov. 10, 2018 /CNW/ - While negotiations continue, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has resumed rotating strikes at a major processing centre in Vancouver. CUPW has also begun job action in Whitehorse, Yukon, and in Creston, Elk Valley, Golden, Grand Forks, Kimberley, Kitimat, Powell River, Prince Rupert, Salmon Arm, Revelstoke, Smithers, Sunshine Coast and Terrace, B.C.

Rotating strikes also continue in the Gaspé area, Que., and in Kamloops, B.C. Since October 22, CUPW's rotating strikes have shut down Canada Post's operations in more than 150 communities across the country.

Meanwhile, strikes have ended in the Granby area (including Acton Vale, Eastman, Sutton and Cowansville), Drummondville and Rimouski, Que.; in Hawkesbury, Alexandria, Napanee, Collingwood, Muskoka, Pembroke, Hearst, Englehart, New Liskeard and Kirkland Lake, Ont.; in Goose Bay, Labrador City and Wabush, N.L.; and in Cranbrook, Penticton, Quesnel, Vernon and Williams Lake, B.C.

Service impacts as strikes have trailers backlogged

Canada Post has been working hard to maintain service to Canadians, but Vancouver is a key processing hub for mail and parcels in Canada. The union's rotating strike will therefore have a significant impact on our operations and cause further backlogs of trailers. Canada Post will make every effort to minimize the impact, but customers across the country will continue to see delays for parcel and mail delivery.

We thank our customers for their continued patience and apologize for the inconvenience this is causing.

Negotiations 

Canada Post remains committed to the bargaining process. The Corporation has made significant offers to CUPW that include increased wages, job security, and improved benefits, and it has not asked for any concessions in return.

The Minister of Labour has extended the mandate of Morton Mitchnick as mediator for a period of four days (November 7 – 10) to assist the parties in reaching a resolution.                               

We value the relationship with the union and have been able to find common ground on some issues. We have also committed to work together to address employees' workload concerns caused by parcel growth, additional financial services and going beyond pay equity for Rural and Suburban employees by extending job security and moving to one uniform for all delivery employees. 

Customers can go to canadapost.ca/update for updates or follow us on twitter @canadapostcorp for the latest developments.

SOURCE Canada Post