Postal workers strike ensures ‘message was heard,’ Fort St. John union branch president says

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The move from daily job action shifting to rotating strikes hasn’t dimmed Peace region postal workers’ message, says the union’s local president.

Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) local chapter 738 president Babe Seguin told Energeticcity.ca the postal workers in the region had been on daily strikes since September to “bring awareness” to possible rural post office closures. They have now shifted to rotating strikes.

Offices in Altona, Buick, Cecil Lake, Charlie Lake, Clayhurst, Montney, Prespatou, Rose Prairie, Tumbler Ridge as well as retail offices in both Dawson Creek and Fort St. John are allegedly at risk of the chopping block.

The offices were protected by a moratorium which could be lifted in the wake of proposed cutbacks to the mail service.

Canada Post’s media department says Lightbound has given the service 45 days to outline a plan to implement a series of measures presented by the federal government in early September.

It involves prioritizing service, proceeding thoughtfully so the impact on the public is minimized, treating employees with respect, keeping the public informed and being flexible in adjusting to the “revolving needs” of the Canadian public with the postal service.

A statement from Canada Post said the “plan is being finalized and will be shared as directed with the government in advance of the deadline.”

Talks between CUPW and the federal government broke down in September, with the union claiming in a statement that Joël Lightbound, federal minister of government transformation, public works and procurement is planning “massive changes” with respect to the government’s mandate for the Crown service.

This followed a shutdown last November. Canada Post’s website says it has lost an estimated $5 billion dating back to 2018.

“[Office closures will affect] literally all of our rural post offices, in our Indigenous and farmers’ communities,” said Seguin. “So we stayed out longer [to] bring awareness [and] make sure to get the message out.

“We cannot live without post offices in these communities. So we did feel like the message got heard.”

Seguin told Energeticcity.ca she had talks with Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer, and handed him a petition signed by what she estimated were “hundreds” of signatures.

Currently, discussions continue with Canada Post and CUPW about possible cuts, with Seguin saying announcements regarding those could come as early as this weekend.

“We got a huge support from the public once they understood: ‘Why is my post office on the chopping block? Well, that can’t happen in our community,’” said Seguin. “I do feel like our message was heard. What that’s going to look like to Canada Post, I don’t know.”

Seguin was unable to provide further information about when the rotating strikes would happen in the area.

A CUPW representative told Energeticcity.ca to monitor the union’s website for rotating strike updates.