Canada Post workers across Canada officially went on strike Nov. 15., including members of the Rural Suburban Mail Carriers union, some who began picketing outside of the post office in Sechelt Friday. The rural workers belong to a different union than the employees working inside the post office.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers, issued a 72-hour strike notice Tuesday after failing to reach an agreement with Canada Post over wages and safer working conditions after about one year of bargaining.
Among other demands, the rural mail carriers want job security rights in line with the Urban agreement, corporate vehicles (at this time most use their own vehicles), coverage of all absences, and increased wages and gas allowance.
Yesterday, Canada Post, a Crown corporation owned by the federal government, issued a statement that said, "Canada Post will continue delivering and make every effort to minimize service disruptions. However, customers should be prepared for possible delays in the processing and delivery of mail and parcels."
This morning, Canada Post issued the following statement:
"Canada Post’s operations will shut down during a national strike, affecting millions of Canadians and businesses across the country … 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."
According to Canada Post, vital mail such as Social Security and Old Age Pension cheques, will still be delivered.
This article will continue to be updated as more news comes in.
With files from The Squamish Chief.
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