Canada Post employees across the Ottawa Valley began their strike on Friday with more on their mind than just better wages.
Local mail carrier Andrew Fogarasi says he and his coworkers are rallying to keep their current pension plans, guaranteed sick leave, safer working conditions, and a boost to wages that they say can’t wait anymore.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers officially went on strike early in the morning on Friday, effectively halting delivery services for mail and parcels across Canada as well as shutting down a large number of post offices until a resolution can be made.
It’s a not position the position that Fogarasi says mail carriers want to be in, but one they feel is necessary to protect full-time employees while also fighting for a better contract for temp-workers.
While Canada Post’s workers will not make most deliveries during their strike, one exception has been made to make sure people waiting on certain payments will not go without.
Fogarasi says their first day on the picket line was met with a “goodly amount of support” from traffic, and he encourages people who share their concerns to get active, contact their local member of parliament, or even just honk in support if you see workers demonstrating.
(written by Kasey Egan)
