Union representing postal workers in Sudbury hope for a deal before strike deadline

More than 300 postal workers in the Sudbury district are getting ready in case there is a strike Friday.

Early on Tuesday, CUPW served Canada Post with a 72-hour strike notice. Later in the day, Canada Post responded with a lockout notice effective 8 a.m. Friday.

More than 300 postal workers in the Sudbury district are getting ready in case there is a strike Friday. (Photo from video)

"We want to serve the public," said CUPW Local 612 President Charlene Bradley. Local 612 covers Sudbury, Manitoulin, Espanola and smaller communities like Noelville and Alban.

"We want to do our jobs, so we’re hoping that they settle between now and Friday so we can continue doing our jobs. But everybody is a little bit on edge trying to figure out what’s going to be happening."

About one-third of the CUPW Local 612 members are rural suburban mail carriers (RSMC) or mail drivers. Bradley said they’re looking for higher wages, while those working at sort-and-delivery depot locations have health and safety concerns.

"A lot of injuries, especially with the new processes that Canada Post is putting into place with separate sort and delivery," she said.

"Where people will be doing the exact same job all day long, the exact same motions causing repetitive strain injuries on our workers."

Pensions are also part of the stalemate.

"Canada Post wants to implement new pension procedures for our new hires," Bradley said.

"So, we’re fighting for the current workers as well as the workers of the future … We want to retire with dignity."

Similar issues

Bradley said many issues this time around are similar to the ones that surfaced in 2018 when there were rotating strikes at Canada Post locations across the country, including in Sudbury and North Bay.

"Those are still haunting us to this day," she said, referring to issues like wages, health and safety and pensions.

The union is still deciding if a labour disruption would be rotating or an outright strike.

Jessica Montgomery, president of the Sudbury & District Labour Council, said she is concerned about the issues connected to female postal workers.

"Support for pregnant employees and those who are returning to work from maternity leave and breastfeeding workers is essential for promoting gender equality in our workplaces,” Montgomery said.

"These are home rights issues."

Montgomery said she disappointed in comments on social media mentioning the time of the year.

"We’re in November now and approaching Christmas, but these workers, like any other workers, have the right to strike," she said.

"The inconvenience of our Christmas shopping — it’s not on these workers."

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Canada Post said the postal system must change to compete, and it wants a more flexible and affordable delivery market.

In a news release, the corporation said: "It is critical that both parties focus their energies on resolving issues to reach negotiated agreements."

In the event of a strike, Canada Post said it will try to minimize service disruptions for customers but is warning of possible delays.

CUPW Locals are working on picket location plans, with the hopes that a new deal can be reached before Friday.