Postal employees hit the picket line Friday morning, and the strike comes as we head into the busy vacation buying season.
The 900 London members of the Canadian Union of Postal Employees (CUPW) are among the many 55,000 nationwide who walked off the job Friday morning.
Most gathered in entrance of the Canada Publish London administration constructing and important sorting hub on Highbury Avenue, south of Oxford.
“We love our job,” stated Sharon Samuels, CUPW Native 566 First Vice President. “We want to get out there and deliver the parcels to you – but we also need a fair contract.”
The CUPW workers said the strike isn’t just about wages, benefits and pensions. They said that they’re also looking for recognition that, with more packages being shipped, the work has become more demanding for delivery people.
“When they go out, they don’t know when they’re coming back,” Samuels advised . Including, “The route is structured to be eight hours. We are finding people that are taking ten and eleven hours to do the route – anybody on a walking route. So that’s a long day, so there’s no work life balance in here.”
CUPW members in London joined postal workers across the country on strike, November 15, 2024 (Gerry Dewan/ London)
As far as wages, union is looking for a 22 per cent increase over four years. They say the Canada Post proposal would be a 12 per cent increase over that period.
The union members are also concerned the federal government will force binding arbitration as they did for the CPKC rail strike, and with the recent job actions at Canadian ports. At this point the Federal Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon said the ministry is intent on helping to secure a negotiated settlement and has appointed a special mediator, “As Minister of Labour, my job is to facilitate the conclusion of a collective agreement, and I’ve asked – directed – all of the resources or our department be devoted to helping the parties achieve an agreement at the table.”
The Metropolis of London continues to be anticipating taxes, bills and licence charges to be paid on time in the course of the strike.
CUPW members stroll the picket line in entrance of the Canada Publish services on Highbury Ave N, November 15, 2024 (Gerry Dewan/ London)
They’re recommending folks use on-line funds or phone funds. They’ll additionally drop of funds at metropolis corridor Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Different companies, together with London Hydro are additionally encouraging folks to make use of on-line accounts.
Kathryn Arnot is a London Hydro spokesperson, “We encourage clients to register for paperless billing and pre-authorized funds to assist them keep on high of their accounts in the course of the postal strike. In the event that they nonetheless desire to pay by mail, they’ll drop their cost off on the entrance of London Hydro.”
The town can also be making contingencies for individuals who depend on Ontario Works funds. Some important mail, like Previous Age Safety cheques and different profit cheques, will proceed to be delivered all through the strike.
