SASKATOON — Undeterred by the prairies’ winter-like weather in November, hundreds of the city’s Canada Post workers have been braving below double-digit temperatures to remain on strike, causing delays in mail and parcels during one of the busiest times of the year.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 824, headed by President Bram Enslin, comprises more than 500 postal workers, affiliate offices and T-Force delivery service with almost 400 based in the city. Their strike entered its third week on Friday, Nov. 29.
Enslin told 麻豆传媒AV that it was unfortunate that they had to halt operations, but the battle for workers’ rights is what they have been doing in the last two weeks. The Canada Post office is at 51st Street in Saskatoon, where protestors have set up tents to warm themselves up.
"We're out here because we take pride in our work. We serve Canadians, and we serve our communities. Delivering the mail, especially in rural areas where others won't go, is vital. But we're not out here just for the work itself. We're here to stand up for our rights,” Enslin said.
“All operations are halted right now. We'd rather be out there working. We want to do that work and get people their parcels and packages. Unfortunately, this has happened primarily because of a timeline.
He said the talks between their union and Canada Post began a year ago, but there was no movement on their employers’ side, so they put out a strike notice that unfortunately fell in November.
The Federal government has appointed Minister of Labour and Seniors Steven McKinnon as a special mediator since Canada Post is a Crown corporation overseeing the negotiations between parties.
“[It] was good news because it sounded like there was some movement on our demands, but unfortunately, the mediator has halted the mediation and said that the parties are too far apart. Minister McKinnon, I believe, had met with both parties,” said Enslin.
He added that McKinnon said they won't use legislation or Section 107 of the Labour Code to have workers return to work, however, Canada Post refuses to negotiate with fair offers. CUPW and Canada Post need to come up with changes to their strategy so the issue can be resolved immediately, he said.
Under Section 107, the Labour Minister can settle industrial disputes by making inquiries that affect union-employer relations and refer and direct the Canada Industrial Relations Board to take action if necessary.
“That's bittersweet. We're happy that the minister won't seek to legislate back or arbitrate immediately. However, of course, it's sad to hear that Canada Post is still not coming to the table to negotiate fairly or freely. This fight is far from over," said Enslin.
“The union is fighting for more than just better wages or working conditions. It is fighting for respect. It is fighting to ensure that Canada Post remained a strong public service that protected the workers and the communities they served.”
Enslin added Canada Post’s proposals were inadequate and insulting, even threatening layoffs and terminations and the imposition of unfair conditions for retirees and new workers alike, which was the reality the workers were facing.
Despite marching in wind chills below 30, Enslin said their morale remains high with his colleagues, as they believe that they have the public’s support and are also annoyed that Canada Post has been laying off and terminating its employees.
“It angers people. Like, ‘Why don’t you [Canada Post] just come to the table to negotiate and bargain in good faith, which is what your duty and due diligence is to do.’ We are standing up, and you can't do this to us. You can't do this to people. You can't do this to new workers,” said Enslin.
“You can't propose these conditions on retirees. We want all communities to be served and, ultimately, for this [Canada Post] to be a strong public service with protections for the communities and workers, which seems to be the exact opposite of what Canada Post is proposing.”
