The picket line started just after midnight last Friday in Grande Prairie for the local Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) 744 workers. 

The nationwide strike has seen 55,000 postal workers head to the picket line - about 150 in Grande Prairie -  after a year at the bargaining table with Canada Post.

“They (Canada Post) are not willing to negotiate fairly for simple wages, better health and safety, better benefits, because our carriers and our workers are overburdened with the work that they have, and they are making it unsafe for us to come to work now,” said Tamara Morison, CUPW Local 744 president. 

She said she would have rathered be out on her regular delivery route, but the strike is important.

“As union workers, we are just trying to make wages that are suitable for living and not paycheck to paycheck; I have two other jobs just to make ends meet, so we definitely need something, because inflation is crazy across Canada,” she said.

“As union workers, we fought for maternity leave, and we got it back in 1982 so again, we are trying to fight for a basic living wage for all Canadians, not just postal workers, but we want to set a standard.”

The union says it wants a wage increase in line with inflation; cost-of-living adjustments to be rolled into the basic wage rate; 10 paid medical days added to the seven personal days while allowing medical days to be banked; improvements to group benefit plans including increased coverage for health specialists and vision care.

CUPW issued a strike notice on Nov. 12; eight hours later Canada Post issued a 72-hour notice that it would lock out workers.

“Our goal has always been to reach negotiated collective agreements that support the long-term success of our public post office while addressing the real issues our members face daily,” said Jan Simpson, CUPW national resident, in a media release. 

“Canada Post has the ability to make that happen without any job action, but it needs to come to the bargaining table and resolve both new and longstanding issues.”

Canada Post says that Canadians will face delays in receiving their mail as it will be shut down during the strike.

“Mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered for the duration of the national strike, and some post offices will be closed,” said Canada Post in a statement. 

“Service guarantees will be impacted for items already in the postal network. No new items will be accepted until the national disruption is over.”

Subhed: Province reacts to mail stoppage

Hours after strike lines went up, the province said it was activating a contingency mail delivery plan, noting it would ensure critical mail from the province to would will continue to flow.

“Starting Tuesday, Nov. 19, mail can be accepted from Albertans at designated Alberta government offices across the province to ensure it reaches the proper destination,” said the province in a media release. 

A complete list of designated buildings is available on Alberta.ca. 

“Albertans who receive mail from the provincial government will receive a notification by email or phone indicating where and when they can pick up/drop off their mail.”

Locally, critical government mail can be picked up or dropped off at the Provincial Building in Grande Prairie. 

Morison says Canada Post’s CEO Doug Ettinger has “wasted millions” on items such as electric vehicles that are not in use and turning away companies like Amazon. 

“They (Canada Post) keep saying that they're broke, but yet, a lot of their executive VPs got huge bonuses this year,” she said.

In August, Canada Post board chair André Hudon said the crown corporation’s financial situation is unsustainable.

“The negotiations come at a critical juncture for Canada Post as the corporation continues to grapple with the significant financial and operational challenges of delivering in today’s highly competitive parcel delivery market,” said Canada Post in a media release in October.

“In the first six months of 2024, Canada Post recorded a loss from operations of $490 million. 

“Since 2018, Canada Post has lost more than $3 billion.”  

Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said the negotiations have been extremely difficult with “many big issues to solve at the table, and not a lot of progress has been made on those big issues.”

MacKinnon appointed a special mediator on Monday in an effort to settle the negotiations.

As of press time at the end of the day Monday, Nov. 18, the strike is ongoing.

Though smaller rural outlets including Beaverlodge, Wembley, Hythe and Sexsmith remain open, Canada Post isn't processing or delivering any mail and parcels as long as the strike lasts.