News

Canadian letter carriers have started a wildcat strike in Edmonton. Fifteen letter carriers working working out of the St Albert office, a suburb of Edmonton, walked out when they learned their pay was being cut due to route evaluations. In many cases this reduced their income by thousands of dollars.



The workers and supporters shortly after walking out set up picket lines. The wildcat is continuing with pickets being set up.



On a very cold morning Edmonton CUPW local president Bev Ray joined 15 carriers on the picket line.



She said there have been similar problems at this particular distribution centre before and a further pay cut is unacceptable. "They were all handed individual letters, advising them that they were going to be reducing their parcel count," she said. "It is going to impact their yearly income ... there was no notice given."



The extent of the cutback is yet to be confirmed - management is not talking to the workers- but could range from $8,000 to $28,000.



"I don't think any worker comes to this decision lightly. This isn't something that they just do - this was serious consideration," said one of the strikers "This is one long, long struggle of fights with this employer."



The employer, Canada post, is attempting to use contractors to deliver the mail but at this point the strikers and their supporters have stopped them from entering. The employer has also called the police. 



A number of other Canadian postal workers branches have taken support action such as mass coffee breaks and workfloor discussions, and UNI Post & Logistics has sent a message of support to the strikers.



Please tell your members what is going on and encourage them to support these workers by:



 -Sending a support message to the Edmonton Local at; union@cupwedm.net



UPDATE: Friday 15 April



A message from the Edmonton local of CUPW



"The RSMCs in Saint Albert returned to work this morning following a return to work order by the CIRB.



Local Officers and myself were present to ensure that the workplace was safe and that the boss behaved.



A meeting was held outside the workplace by the workers and they returned as a group and vowed to continue the struggle to ensure they are treated with respect by the boss.



In the workplace a work floor meeting was held and one of the returning strikers distributed the messages of support they received from across the Country.



We are meeting with an officer from the CIRB and the employer this morning on several issues regarding the strike and the return to work.



The struggle continues!"