As negotiations continue between Canada Post and its unionized workers, there is a level of concern a second straight holiday season could be clouded in backlogs and service disruptions.
It was exactly one year ago, postal workers hit the picket lines impacting Black Friday and the annual Christmas rush, however, socio-economic cheques were still mailed out.
Local CUPW 812 President, Nicole Chouinard told Vista Radio talks remain ongoing with a new contract still the goal.
“For us, this is of course the busiest time of the year and strategically the best time for us to make an impact to partake in an escalated job action. In saying that, we have no desire to do that.”
Chouinard added with rotating strikes still in place, she encourages everyone to ship out their parcels as soon as possible.
“This time of year, your best bet is to ship as early as possible just because of volume but I will remind you we are on rotating strikes. The intent of that, is to still maintain our strike action and also be able to avoid significant disruptions. A day or two maybe added on depending on where something is being shipped too.”
“Both sides are still working with a federal mediator in conversations to hopefully get us towards a ratifiable collective agreement. At this time, there are no plans to step up the job action, but if talks do breakdown, I am not sure what will happen.”
Last December, the federal government intervened and the ended a month-long strike forcing mail carriers back to work while extending the current collective agreement.
CUPW Local 812 has roughly 200 members encompassing, Mackenzie, Vanderhoof, Burns Lake and, Fraser Lake as well as Prince George.
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