Canada Post served 72-hours notice on Monday that it could lock out workers and shut down postal services as early as Friday. This doesn’t necessarily mean service will shut down Friday. (Keith Lacey photo)
Postal service in Canada could be shut down as soon as Friday.
On Monday night, Canada Post gave the necessary 72-hours notice that it could lock out workers effective Friday.
“The uncertainty caused by the prolonged negotiations and the union’s strike mandate is having a negative and escalating impact on the postal service,” Canada Post said in a news release issued Monday night.
Already, major e-commerce customers have moved parcel volumes to other carriers, resulting in a 75-per-cent decline for Canada Post, the corporation said. And major plants now lack enough parcels to last an entire processing shift.
Lettermail is also down sharply.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) responds that Canada Post is driving its 50,000 workers onto the streets without pay to impose steep concessions on them.
“They refused to negotiate fairly with us and now they’re locking the doors and will try to starve us into submission,” said Mike Palecek, president of CUPW.
Canada Post says the 72-hour notice doesn’t necessarily mean Canada Post will not operate Friday.
“It allows the corporation to take measures that are necessary to respond to the changing business reality,” Canada Post said.
The Osoyoos Times will mail this week’s paper on Wednesday and most local subscribers should receive their papers in the mail by Thursday, before any possible lockout.
If postal disruption does occur, subscribers will be able to pick up papers at the Osoyoos Times office at 8712 Main Street. Copies of the paper will be sold through local retail outlets as usual.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
