Postal workers begin strike action
Canadian postal workers began strike action at midnight in Winnipeg after rejecting last-minute contract proposals by Canada Post.
Earlier in the day, the Crown corporation made what it said were a number of compromises on issues including sick days and hiring future employees.
But Canadian Union of Postal Workers president Denis Lemeli said while there was "some movement" on the part of Canada Post, there was "nothing on the major outstanding issues."
"After more than seven months of difficult and frustrating negotiations, CUPW has initiated strike activity," Lemelin said in a news release issued after 6 p.m. ET Thursday.
"Tonight, members of the Winnipeg local will be the first postal workers to legally strike in more than 13 years."
Canada Post spokesman Jon Hamilton said they had shared the latest offer with the union Wednesday night and had been told the union would respond Thursday morning.
"Instead, they told us today they would respond tomorrow [Friday] at 11am. We are fully committed to negotiating a deal and avoiding a costly and unnecessary strike, as evidenced by our latest offer and therefore frustrated with the lack of response from the union," Hamilton said.
The union had said Winnipeg would be the focus of the first strike activity by postal workers if they failed to reach a deal with Canada Post by the midnight Thursday strike deadline.
Winnipeg was chosen for the first strike activity because it was the first city to be affected by Canada Post's modernization program.
According to the release, the changes resulted in a sharp deterioration of service, as well as health and safety problems for postal workers due to new work methods and equipment, said the release.
It said the strike would continue for 24 hours in Winnipeg, then expand to other locations to be
announced later.
Log
In a news conference Monday, Lemelin said the union has "historically" reached a deal very close to the deadline.
Canada Post spokesperson Jon Hamilton said the corporation is not contemplating locking out its workers at this time and hopes the union will continue negotiations past the strike deadline.
Canada Post is aware of CUPW intentions for rotating strikes and said its priority remains the safety of its workers and security of the mail and its facilities.
