Kamloops postal workers back on the job today

“The legislation just kicked us in the teeth.”

President of the Kamloops Local 758, Kellie Horncastle is an 18-year veteran in mail delivery, and says the relatively short notice (four to 12 hours) ahead of when rotating strikes will come around is not only hectic, it means a backlog of undelivered items is unavoidable.

“I had to cut half of my mail off today to try and make it back for 4:00. So we’re trying to work it out but there’s no over time now,” she explains. “The overtime ban is still in effect, so we have to be back at our end time and get the mail out the next day.”

Despite the use of rotating strikes, Canada Post says it could take weeks to deliver the backlog of mail and packages, even going into 2019.

Local mortgage consultant, Steve Bucher is feeling the effects of the strike action, as his business sends and receives mail daily to clients.

“You know, from a business perspective, we look at it and say look guys, we say we need our mail, we need it delivered,” he says. “And from the heart side, we want to see people paid what they deserve, so we understand what they’re trying to do.”

Citing the nature of his business, Bucher often sends messages to clients after helping them figure out a way to refinance for a home.

“It’d be embarrassing if they get a ‘welcome to your home’ message some time in February,”

Bucher himself is paid by cheque so he knows first-hand the kind of impact mail delivery delays can have.

Having seen back-to-work legislation before, Horncastle says the 50,000 CUPW members affected couldn’t help but feel a little deflated today.

“Everytime we’ve been legislated back to work, its never been in our favour, it’s always gone on the Canada Post side. So we’ll get slapped with no wage increase, but our biggest concern is the health and safety during this Christmas and the winter months,” Horncastle explains. “So we just don’t think they’re going to address that in the legislation.”

If the bill passes this evening, a vote on the legislation is expected sometime early Saturday (Nov. 24) morning.

by Dylana Milobar

Kamloops postal workers back on the job today

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