OTTAWA, Ontario—Canada Post workers could begin rotating strikes Oct. 22, their union warned Oct.
16. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers, which represents 50,000 employees, said it would begin the walkouts at unspecified locations if Canada Post doesn’t reach contract agreements with the Urban Postal Operations and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers bargaining units. “Our goal is still negotiated settlements with no postal disruption. This week is Canada Post’s chance to make that happen,” National President Mike Palecek said in a message to members. Key demands, the union said, are job security, an end to forced overtime and overburdening, health and safety, gender equality, and equality for rural and suburban mail carriers. It said workplace injuries have risen by 43% in the last two years, and “Canada Post has failed to properly address the massive increase in parcel volumes.” As Canada Post is the biggest parcel-shipping company in the country, a walkout could complicate marijuana sales, which became legal in Canada on Oct. 17: Much of the initial business is expected to be mail-order, because there are no legal pot stores yet open in much of the country, including Ontario and the Vancouver area. Read more
