“The likes of other courier companies don’t go to small First Nations communities.”
That’s from BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee as there is some cautious optimism over Ottawa’s move to ask the Canada Industrial Relations Board to put an end to the 29-day strike between Canada Post and its 55-thousand employees.
Teegee says the near-month-long work stoppage has been a burden on Indigenous people who don’t have online banking set up.
“Relying on cheques being sent from the government whether it is pension or otherwise to those communities so certainly there are ways around that or some way that they can access the funds that they need.”
“I think for many First Nations communities they rely on Canada Post I think this is cautiously optimistic and a positive move to resolve this issue. It’s not only affecting First Nations communities but all small communities in British Columbia and Canada.”
Labour Minister Steven Mackinnon says if an impasse is determined by the Industrial Relations Board, operations and duties for both parties will resume as well as extend the terms of their existing collective agreement until May 22nd of 2025.
Both Canada Post and the Postal Workers Union issued statements following Mackinnon’s announcement Friday morning.
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