Canada Post strike continues as workers demand higher wages

Written By SAM ODROWSKI

The Canada Post strike has reached Orangeville, with nearly 30 employees from CUPW Local 577 picketing in front of the Broadway office on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

Protests organized by CUPW Local 577, which represents over 100 workers in Dufferin County, are also taking place in front of Canada Post offices in Shelburne. 

Union members are striking for higher wages, better benefits, improved working conditions, pension protection, the option to offer weekend service, and improved job security, among other demands.

CUPW 577 is striking alongside 55,000 unionized Cabada Post workers across Canada, who all began the strike on Friday, Nov. 15.

“We're fighting for fair wages, no roll backs on our pensions,” said CUPW Local 577 President Greg Boulter.

“We worked through a pandemic, and we signed a two-year extension in our contract with no pay raise, with the promise that we'd have discussions in the future.”

Canada Post workers are seeking a 24 per cent raise over four years, meanwhile, Canada Post has offered an 11.5 per cent pay increase over that same time frame. 

Boulter said what the union is seeking and what Canada Post is offering is still very far apart. He's hoping negotiations will move in a positive direction for Canada Post's workers so they can get back to work. 

“But we're willing to stand out here as long as it takes, until the deal is done,” he told the Citizen. “Or until we get legislated back to work, I suppose. But obviously that's not good for any side of the table. Everybody loses and nobody ever gets what they want in that situation.”

Boulter added, “We just need Canada Post to be there, work with us, make a fair deal. Let's close that gap.”

A statement from Canada Post on Nov. 15 says customers should expect delays due to the strike if items are already in the postal network and no new items will be accepted until the strike is over.