A Canada Post strike is 'the last thing that we want,' says union representative

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers in Newfoundland and Labrador will be the first to strike if workers hit the picket line at midnight Friday.

CUPW Local 126 president Mike McDonald says the 72-hour strike notice was given to Canada Post because the union wanted to be prepared when its collective agreement ends on May 22.

"It's a hard conversation to have with the public," McDonald told CBC News on Tuesday.

"The last thing that we want to do as postal workers is withdraw our labour again and find ourselves out on a picket line."

McDonald's shop represents about 375 postal workers in eastern Newfoundland and the Burin Peninsula. 

He says one issue that may hold up negotiations is finding terms that work for both bargaining units; urban, and rural and suburban mail carriers.

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Mike McDonald, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 126, admits going on strike is a “hard conversation to have with the public.” But, he says a new contract — reached at the bargaining table — is critical to the 55, 0000 workers.

The Crown corporation and the union representing 55,000 of its workers were ordered back to work during a strike in the middle of its busy season in December 2024 —  until the agreement expires. 

If both sides can't negotiate a new collective agreement by Friday morning, a strike could happen that day.

"It's almost a chaos in the negotiations where it's hard to actually get a grip or a handle on all of the issues," McDonald said, thinking back to previous strikes.

He also says a recent report from the Industrial Inquiry Commission skews toward favouring Canada Post.

Many of the recommendations focus on preserving the corporation as a public body and improving its financial situation.

The commissioner also recommended changes to the collective agreement to allow more flexible hiring of part-time employees, and dynamic routing to avoid overtime hours.

WATCH | People are 'scared' of another postal strike, says a communications employee for the Crown Corporation: 

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Jon Hamilton, vice-president of communications for Canada Post, says businesses and charities are among those who are “scared” of a potential postal strike that could come as early as Friday.

Jon Hamilton, vice-president of communications for Canada Post, says the report offers a "sobering" view of the corporation. 

"I'd say this was a fair process," Hamilton said. "We both… were given the same amount of time to present, we were both asked questions."

He says Canada Post is prepared to present an all-encompassing offer for rural and urban employees, and it will include a wage increase and existing benefits. 

However, Hamilton says the corporation can't meet what he calls the union's "lofty demands."

"We just can't afford that," he said.

Hamilton says Canada Post wants the union to "move forward" to protect jobs and avoid a strike. 

Back in N.L., McDonald wants to move on, too.

"We need new contracts," McDonald said. "We're stuck in the '70s and '80s. We can't be there anymore."

He says he's decided to focus on hope as a potential strike looms closer and parties continue negotiating.

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