Postal union gives 72-hour strike notice, putting rural N.L. Christmas deliveries at risk

Christmas is coming, but presents ordered online might not.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers announced Tuesday it has given a 72-hour strike notice to Canada Post. The union will be in a legal strike position by Friday if a deal isn't reached. 

"Although we've given notice to Canada Post, the National Executive Board has not yet determined whether job action will take place immediately. It will depend on Canada Post's actions at the bargaining table in the days to come," the union said in a statement.

A potential postal worker strike might affect postal services' ability to reach certain areas of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Craig Dyer, the union's St. John's local president, said if the union goes on strike it will have a huge impact on services. He says members are prepared to go that route.

"They're tired. They're frustrated. They're stressed. They just want a fair collective agreement and apparently our employer is pushing us to the limits by us providing the 72-hour notice for both urban and rural today," he told CBC Radio's St. John's Morning Show.

He said the union has had more than 150 meetings in the past year, but the corporation hasn't addressed the union's concerns about benefits and pensions.

"Obviously if you're not going to treat us with respect — take us seriously at the negotiating table — we're going to flex our muscle, which is our opportunity to withdraw services," said Dyer.

Local unions, including the Federation of Labour, have been supporting the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, including a solidarity rally on Friday at the St. John's mail processing plant.

For almost a year, CUPW has been at the bargaining table with Canada Post over issues that include wages, working conditions, retirement and the expansion of postal services. 

Last week the negotiating committee gave the corporation two global offers for the urban and rural operations in hopes of securing a collective agreement. 

Dyer says Canada Post is looking to gain more control and flexibility over the collective agreement by negotiating pension plans and benefits for new hires. 

"They don't like what we're putting forward and what we're putting forward is job security, good working conditions, health and safety," Dyer said. 

Last month, 95.8 per cent of workers voted in favour of a strike if a deal couldn't be reached at the bargaining table. 

If a strike happens, it would have significant impacts on rural communities, the union warns. Most big courier companies use Canada Post services to send their product to rural areas in what's called "the last mile," said Dyer. 

That includes Christmas presents. 

"We bring so many smiles with Christmas letters, Christmas cards, parcels," said Dyer. 

"But right now the corporation is putting us in jeopardy by not signing a collective agreement, by not having meaningful consultation on the last couple of items that are sitting on the table." 

For now, Dyer says that both parties have agreed not to take action while in discussion. He says a strike notice would eliminate the collective agreement, allowing the employer to make changes to working conditions.

However, he said that the 95 per cent strike mandate should send a message to Canada Post to negotiate in good faith. 

"Right now, we're still talking, which is fantastic, but our members are also getting impatient," he said. 

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