Press Release
UPCE Postal Workers Set Up Picket Line in Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay - Members of Union of Postal and Communication Employees postal workers set up their picket line at the main mail distribution centre for Northwestern Ontario this morning in Thunder Bay. This line supports the national strike currently taking place across Canada.
UPCE/PSAC members were joined on the picket line by their brothers and sisters of the local labour movement. Judith Monteith-Farrell, Public Service Alliance of Canada Regional Representative, was pleased to see the number of people who were ready to rise early from their beds to participate at this workplace demonstration - the first of many targeted protest actions to come here in Thunder Bay.
"This strike is not just about money", said Monteith-Farrell. "PSAC members are on strike against Canada Post because their employer is trying to impose a new short-term disability system that would be policed by a private insurance company and that would deprive them of their hard-earned sick leave credits".
"Canada Post in going to have to reconsider their position on issues like sick leave, job security, shift schedules and bargaining unit work", said Gerry Halabecki, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President.
The collective agreement between UPCE/PSAC and Canada Post expired on August 21, 2008. Negotiations began on June 4, 2008. PSAC members voted 88 per cent in favour of strike action against Canada Post and commenced that action on November 17th. Today marks the tenth day of strike action against the employer.
John Gordon, PSAC National President, says that Canada Post is misleading Canadians about quality of mail delivery during the current strike by their 2,000 members. He is warning Canadians about possible delays in mail delivery when the high volume Holiday period begins in about two weeks.
"The UPCE members do at Canada Post is essential to fast and reliable mail delivery service", says Gordon. "They are not alone in their fight against Canada Post and can count on the support of other PSAC members as they continue their struggle for a just and fair collective agreement".