By Dylana Milobar

CUPW strike action looms ahead of deadline

Oct 21, 2018 | 9:56 AM

KAMLOOPS — Not only is Monday the first day of the mail-in ballots for the Proportional Representation Referendum, it’s also the deadline for postal workers to reach a deal.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has given Canada Post until the end of the weekend to reach an agreement and avoid the union’s job action. 

President of the Kamloops Local 758, Kellie Horncastle says members are preparing for strike action to be taken.

“So we had a little conference call on Thursday evening, and what was said to us was, its a rotating strike, it will start at 12:01am, I’m assuming that’s of course, back east, ” Horncastle says, “Having said that, it’s only a one day rotating strike, so the mail will be impacted for a maximum one day, type of thing.”

While impacts on the mail in ballots will be minimal under the one day strike rotations, Horncastle was also asked about whether the surge in online cannabis sale deliveries will see a slow down.

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“With rotating strikes, the public will still recieve mail, including cannabis, but it could be delayed.”

The chance for a Canada Post strike has been in the air since late September, after a summertime vote supported the walkout if contract demands were not met. 

“The dispute is mainly about equality in the workplace.” Horncastle explains, “What happens with the rural routers is they have a delay in their pay, and they also aren’t paid the same wage that we are.”

Along with pay equity needing to be addressed, Horncastle says work related injuries are up as well.

“I just got an email last night on injuries for Canada Post, and they’re up about 49% since last year. And that’s due to the overburdening of parcels, and letter mail, and of course, small packets.”

Heading into tomorrow’s deadline, Horncastle hopes something will be worked out.

“We still are really looking forward to hoping Canada Post will negotiate with us this weekend, and not have us do a rotating strike to get our voices heard. And just to look at the concerns of the letter carriers, and the PO4’s (inside workers at the plants), and our forklift drivers, and just overall safety in the workplace.”