Canada Post workers in Red Deer joined the national strike on Friday. (rdnewsNOW/Ian Gustafson)

By Ian Gustafson

Picketing begins

Canada Post workers in Red Deer join national job action

Nov 15, 2024 | 12:43 PM

Canada Post workers officially went on strike Friday, including in Red Deer.

An approximate 55,000 members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) are striking across the nation after ‘minimal progress’ was made at the bargaining table.

The CUPW issued a 72-hour strike notice on Tuesday asking for safer working environments and better wages, among other items.

In Red Deer, approximately 30 workers of CUPW Local 818 began picketing in front of the north end location on 67A Street. In total, around 160 workers are off the job in Red Deer.

Local 818 President, Bill Kilsby, told rdnewsNOW the contracts offered have been insulting.

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“The stuff we’re asking for is basic human rights. We just want fair living wages to keep up with inflation because we’ve been falling behind,” he said.

“We also want safe working environments. Across Canada, they’re rolling out really unsafe practices and we’re seeing a huge increase in injuries. We also want to retire with dignity; in the contract, there’s a lot of rollbacks and a lot of things that are not right.

“All of us here, we’re in good spirits but it’s scary times and we don’t want to be picketing. We want to be out working, but we also just really want a good fair contract.”

Kilsby said they will strike for as long as it takes citing the 42-day CUPW strike in 1981 that earned workers maternity leave benefits.

“We’re united and standing for what we believe in which is just a fair contract,” he added. “We’ll be out here almost 24/7.”

Canada Post’s operations will shut down during the national strike and will affect millions of people and organizations across the nation.

Canada Post says customers will experience delays and that mail will not be processed or delivered for the duration of the national strike.

Some post offices will also be closed and service guarantees will be impacted for items already mailed out. In addition, no new items will be accepted until the conclusion of the strike.

The organization also says service could also be impacted well after the strike is over because shutting down facilities across the country will effect the national network.

Kilsby explained that old age security cheques will still be mailed out if they’re still on strike on Nov. 20.

To those who depend on Canada Post’s services during the year, especially during the holiday season, Kilsby said they share the same feelings and frustrations.

“Many of our members are living paycheque to paycheque and we don’t want to be out here, but we’re fighting for a fair contract,” he said.

“We want to get back to work as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, the National Farmers Union said they’re standing in solidarity with the CUPW.

“Canada Post is more equitable, affordable, and reliable than private alternatives, especially for rural and remote areas. Its employees deserve proper wages, working conditions, and benefits for the work that they do,” said NFU Board Member Matthew Wiens.

In a statement issued in the last 24 hours, Canada Post has said it’s disappointed with the decision to strike.