Canada Post workers rally in Yellowknife on day 6 of national strike

Canada Post workers in Yellowknife held a rally in the city's frigid downtown on Wednesday, the sixth day of an ongoing national strike.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says about 55,000 workers in its mail carrier bargaining units are off the job.

The Canada-wide strike began Friday after the union could not reach a negotiated agreement with the employer over issues including wages, expansion of services, and worker safety. 

In Yellowknife on Wednesday, Canada Post employee Danielle Hawes said the workers hope for a fair resolution but will be on the picket line in the meantime.

"We're willing to do whatever it takes. You know, we're here at 20 below and, you know, we're still smiling and still going strong. So as long as it takes, we'll be here," said Hawes.

Canada Post media relations says post offices that are part of a different union or are at dealer locations will remain open during the strike.

In the N.W.T., the majority of post offices are dealer locations, the corporation says, while workers at the Fort Simpson and Forth Smith post offices are represented by a different union, the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association.  

However, the post offices in Yellowknife, Nahanni Butte and Hay River are staffed by CUPW members, and so those offices will be closed during the strike. 

"No new mail or parcels will be accepted until the national disruption is over except for parcel returns. There will also be no collection or delivery for any post offices for the duration of a national disruption," reads a statement from Canada Post.

Hawes says the support the unionized workers have received from the public in Yellowknife has been really nice.

"I think it's very important. You know, we just want to kind of get back to work, but there's things that we want to do in order for that to happen. So hopefully we can work it out and stay strong on the way," said Hawes.

Hawes added that it's a difficult time for a lot of people in Canada due to inflation, and she hopes the two sides can negotiate something that's good for everyone.

"We haven't had a raise in a couple of years. You know, we did work through COVID, and with inflation it's, you know, we're just trying to pay our mortgages and pay our vehicle bills and buy groceries," said Hawes.

The federal government has appointed a mediator and negotiations are ongoing.

In the N.W.T., the strike is not expected to affect the delivery of territorial benefits such as income assistance and the seniors' home heating subsidy.