CUPW 810 Vice President Ben McCloy with Secretary Treasurer Melissa McNay. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Labour dispute

Canada Post strike enters 19th day; but Santa letters getting delivered

Dec 3, 2024 | 3:00 PM

The Canada Post strike is now on day 19, and and despite there being no end in sight to the contract talks, morale in Prince Albert remains high.

Well over a dozen members of CUPW 810 were outside the mail processing plant on Tuesday, waving flags and showing no visible signs of being bothered by the cold. Secretary Treasurer Melissa McNay acknowledged the impact the strike is having during the holiday season, but noted she too has parcels and letters waiting to be delivered.

“As well we won’t be getting a paycheque at Christmas time so I think we do feel the full weight of it,” she said.

With some 55,000 workers on strike, Canada Post has removed the Friday deadline for its Santa Claus letter program. Meanwhile a number of union members in the various centres have taken it upon themselves to ensure those important wish lists get to the North Pole.

And McNay confirmed this is something their local members are also working on.

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“We are in contact with the school divisions and we are just waiting on their reply,” she said.

Santa’s North Pole post office has delivered replies to more than 45 million letters since the program began more than four decades ago.

With respect to the stalled contract talks, the Crown corporation is currently waiting for the union to respond to a framework it presented for reaching negotiated agreements.

In turn, the union confirmed Canada Post has moved closer to its position on some issues, but the framework is still “far from something members could ratify.”

When the strike first started last month, local members who spoke to paNOW raised concerns relayed to shift hours, safety and the rising cost of living. CUPW 810 Vice President Ben McCloy is taking it all in stride, and noted the job action has brought local members together.

“It’s renewed a lot of our friendships,” he said.

Further noting a high number of vehicles honking their horns as they pass, McCloy said he appreciates the support from the public, as well as the local businesses who have provided use of their facilities or brought over some warm treats.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

— with files from The Canadian Press