Members of local 810 outside the Canada Post mail processing plant in Prince Albert. (Susan McNeil/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Labor unrest

Federal Canada Post strike spills over into Prince Albert

Nov 15, 2024 | 5:00 PM

About 55,000 Canada Post workers walked off the job Friday as they seek better wages and safer working conditions.

In Prince Albert, over a dozen members of local 810 were assembled outside the mail processing plant on Marquis Road. Local Vice-President Ben McCloy told paNOW that pension is a big sticking point and they want to be able to retire with dignity

“Canada Post has had a two to three year break from contributing their share and they say it’s too costly for them,” he said.

Further noting the rising cost of living, and the employer’s offer of 11.5 per cent over four years, McCloy stated it’s not enough to help struggling families.

Kristin Parenteau is on the Local’s health and safety committee and expressed concerns with respect to a change in shift hours and members forced to work from 11a.m. to 7p.m. In the summertime it means starting at the hottest time of the day, and in the winter, working in the dark.

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“It’s not safe and you can’t see who is around the corner, you can’t see somebody who is hiding behind a mailbox.They are offering us headlamps but we can only see what’s right in front of us. We can’t tell if somebody is running up on us or gonna hurt us,” she said.

Parenteau added the shift hours also have a big impact on home life and especially for members who are single parents.

“”They see their kids to school and they see them at bedtime and that’s it, like there’s no more family suppers and it’s hard to plan around that,” she said.

Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon stated on Friday the federal strike gripping the country must be resolved through negotiations.

Canada Post confirmed mail and packages will not be delivered during the walkout and the shutdown of some facilities will also affect its national network.

The strike comes just ahead of the busy holiday season and on the heels of labour disputes at Canada’s ports. Ottawa did intervene to end the labour stoppages at Canada’s largest ports.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

— with files from the Canadian Press