By Cheryl Jahn

Pickets up at Station “B”

Nov 15, 2024 | 3:03 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The pickets are out at Station “B” on 15th Avenue in Prince George after the Canadian Union of Postal Workers declared a national strike, effective, midnight eastern time.

“You know, the mood’s pretty good and it’s pretty positive,” says Rick Harris, President of CUPW, Local 812. “We’ve also had a lot of good positive feedback from the public, judging by a lot of honking horns. And we appreciate all of that.”

Seniors are one of the biggest users of postal services.

Police

Family grieving after man dies shortly after being in police custody

1h ago

Bond awarded Bob Scott Award

3h ago

High School Volleyball

D.P Todd AA boys volleyball host North Central Zone tournament

3h ago

We’ve made a deal with the corporation that will continue,” says Harris. “We’ll have volunteers that will continue to deliver those checks for, however long this goes out. We’re not in a position to put people without their cheques. So we’re absolutely going to do that.”

Access to things like Canada Pension and Old Age Pension cheques was one of the biggest concerns for the Council of Seniors and that news is very welcome.

“That was one of my major concerns for seniors, because a lot of seniors, their digital literacy is one of the major challenges, not just for seniors,” says Malhar Kendurkar, Executive Director for the Council of Seniors.

He says that doesn’t mean the postal strike won’t impact seniors in other ways.

“Because the holiday season is coming up, Christmas, you know, and families are sending the postcards, they’re sending the letters. Sometimes they’re sending money to to their loved ones. And now that’s not going to get delivered,” says Kendurkar.

And, like so many other businesses, there are challenges to office operations.

“There are about anywhere between 170 to 250 invoices go out every month from our office. So we need to figure that out because that will be a big challenge. And if if we do find some other solution, the cost will be more And if if we do find some other solution, the cost will be more.”

And Harris says postal workers are not trying to be the Grinch.

“We want to negotiate a contract. We want to deliver people’s Christmas presents, the Santa letters. We want to deliver the sounds, the letters, and make sure that, you know, all the kids get what they want. So if Canada Post is serious, let’s negotiate a contract.”

He says, contrary to popular belief, postal workers are not employed by government, but there is still a strong concern that back-to-work legislation will be forthcoming.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Canada Post’s collective agreement expired on January 31 of this year.