Postal workers in Flin Flon went on strike for a day, aiming for equitable treatment and wellness at work.
The action was part of a number of rotating strikes ordered by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). Flin Flon’s strike, the first work action called in the community since CUPW issued the first strike notices to Canada Post on Oct. 16, was one of several throughout Manitoba on Nov. 16. Post offices in Flin Flon, The Pas, Thompson, Dauphin, Brandon, Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg were shuttered while CUPW members walked pickets outside.
Conditions weren’t ideal for the protestors in Flin Flon, standing outside on one of the coldest days of the early weeks of winter while the portion of Main Street immediately in front of the post office was closed for construction.
That said, CUPW Local 734 president Rena Gummerson said they had received support from passersby and other local unions.
“We’ve had lots of people honking, and the United Steel Workers (Local 7106) brought us coffee. Someone brought us hot chocolate. I’d say we had fairly good support,” she said, adding Flin Flon MLA Tom Lindsey, himself a longtime Steel Workers member and union representative, had been to the picket to speak with strikers.
Gummerson said the strikers hoped to raise awareness of workplace issues and receive better, more equitable treatment from employer Canada Post.
“What we’re fighting for is wage equity, job security and benefit security,” she said.
“There are 51,000 employees of Canada Post. So far, we are in what the union has called an ‘injury crisis’. One in four postal workers suffers a debilitating injury in their career with Canada Post. Back, foot, knee, hip, shoulders. Dog attacks are still a thing, but they are probably the least cause of injury for letter carriers. Why are we getting injured? Because carriers are being forced to work overtime. They’re overburdened with flyers, parcels and mail. We need route restructuring done so that the routes are fair and distributed equally.”
Gummerson also said Canada Post employed a two-tier wage system, paying newer, younger employees less for the same work as other, more experienced workers.
“With people doing the same job, the person with less seniority is making five dollars an hour less and there’s no hope of catching up,” she said.
Strikers were outside the post office from 6 a.m. on Nov. 16 until midnight. The Flin Flon post office is now open and back to normal operating hours, pending other announced work actions.
