Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media /  In the midst of a labour strike that's less than a week old, the local union representing over 100 postal workers in Chilliwack, Hope and the surrounding area says Canada Post wants to weaken their pensions.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack postal workers speak out

Chilliwack-area postal workers speak out on labour strike, argue Canada Post wants to weaken their pensions

Nov 19, 2024 | 9:02 AM

CHILLIWACK — In the midst of a labour strike that’s less than a week old, the local union representing over 100 postal workers in Chilliwack, Hope and the surrounding area says Canada Post wants to weaken their pensions.

Postal workers went on strike Friday, saying they came to the decision after “a year of bargaining with little progress.” Meanwhile, Canada Post says it’s “disappointed” with the decision, which will “have a significant and immediate impact on millions of Canadians, small businesses and charities who count on Canada Post during the busy holiday season.”

In a joint statement from the president and vice-president of Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 741, which represents 112 members from Chilliwack to Yale, spokesperson Lori Broadbent and vice president Alisha Urano say the strike is primarily about wages, work conditions, and the ability to retire with dignity.

“We are fighting for fair wages, safe work conditions, the right to retire with dignity and expansion of services at the public post office,” Broadbent told Fraser Valley Today in a text message Monday, Nov. 18. “After a year of bargaining with little progress, postal workers made the difficult decision to strike. Canada Post had the opportunity to prevent this strike, but has refused to negotiate real solutions to the issues postal workers face every day.”

The union argues the employer left them with no choice when it threatened to alter its working environment, thereby breaching the terms of their collective bargaining agreements.

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“Instead, Canada Post left us no choice when it threatened to change our working conditions and leave our members exposed to layoffs,” CUPW Local 741 said. “Canada Post is attempting to undermine our hard won collective agreements, reducing full-time jobs and compromise the quality of services provided to the public.”

CUPW Local 741 argues Canada Post wants concessions from current and future employees, a price too high to pay, it says.

“Canada Post is pushing for us to agree to a weaker pensions – not only for current members, but the future generations as well. They also want to make it more difficult for postal workers who put their health and bodies on the line daily in challenging working conditions to access essential benefits,” the union said.

Canada Post says no new mail items will be accepted until the national disruption is over. There are exceptions, however.

Canada Post and the union have agreed to continue delivering government benefit cheques, such as the Canada Child Benefit, Old Age Security and the Canada Pension Plan, during the labour disruption. It said seniors and others who rely on the mail service will receive timely financial assistance.

All cheques for November are set to be delivered on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Service Canada has urged Canadians to set up online accounts and direct deposits to receive their benefits without delays.