Canada Post on strike in Sarnia, Nov 15, 2024 (Photo by: Melanie Irwin/ Blackburn Media)Canada Post on strike in Sarnia, Nov 15, 2024 (Photo by: Melanie Irwin/ Blackburn Media)
Chatham

Still on strike, Canada Post workers delivering government cheques

Despite a strike at Canada Post, mail carriers are delivering social assistance and pension cheques.

Ahead of the strike, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers negotiated an agreement with the Crown Corporation to ensure government cheques that are part of the social safety net are delivered.

"Despite the strike, postal workers remain deeply aware of our responsibilities," said National President Jan Simpson. "Ensuring the timely delivery of socio-economic cheques like pension cheques, disability payments, and other essential benefits, is vital to the well-being of individuals and families across the country. Our dispute is with Canada Post, not the most vulnerable members of society."

About 55,000 postal workers walked off the job last Friday in a dispute over wages, working conditions, the right to retire with dignity, and expansion of services.

Earlier this week, the two sides met with a special mediator appointed by the federal government. The talks are ongoing. They started a year ago, and recently, CUPW members gave their bargaining units a strike mandate of 95 per cent.

Last month, Canada Post publicly stated that it had offered the union members an 11.5 per cent wage increase over four years, better pension protections, and measures to protect job security.

"Our goal is to secure fair and equitable collective agreements that will allow us to return to work and continue delivering for Canadians," added Simpson.

After the workers walked off the job, Canada Post warned Canadians that parcel and letter delivery would face significant delays depending on how long the dispute lasted.

Canada Post lost $490-million in the first six months of this year, and more than $3-billion since 2018.

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(Photo by Justin Smith / Wikimedia Commons)

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