Picket lines go up around Canada Post building as Prince Rupert takes its spot in rotating strikes

The Prince Rupert Post Office is behind pickets today, as CUPW members
take part in a rotating strike across the Northwest

Horns have been honking through the morning around the Federal building on Second Avenue West, not because of any traffic issues, but in support of Canada Post employees who have set up a picket line around the Post Office building today.

Prince Rupert is one of a number of communities across Canada behind pickets today, as the latest round of rotating strikes comes to the Northwest, with postal workers in Terrace, Kitimat and Smithers also off the job ahead of the long weekend.

The rotating strikes come as a mediator returns to the talks between Canada Post and CUPW the union which represents postal workers, with four days of discussion which started on Wednesday underway to try to resolve the impasse.

CUPW National President Mike Palecek welcome the mediator's return but vowed not to back down on the issues that led to the labour action in the first place.


“We welcome the mediator back to the negotiating table and we are ready to work with him to reach agreements that meet the needs of our members,”  ...  “We will not back down on our demands. Canada Post knows its offers aren’t good enough and we will not settle for anything less than what our members deserve.”

The first of the cross Canada strikes took place on October 22nd, with CUPW officials announcing the communities to be put behind pickets each morning. This is the first time that the call has gone out to Prince Rupert members to stay off the job.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated that if progress is not made at the negotiating table he may be forced to act to end the dispute.

Trudeau says he may soon act to end Canada Post Labour Dispute
All options available as Canada Post Strike continues: PM

It's anticipated that the local Post Office location will remain behind the picket line for the full day, which will mean no home mail delivery across the Northwest today.

For more items of note related to labour issues see our archive page here.

To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.