More than 300 postal workers in the Sudbury district are preparing in case there is a strike Friday.

Early Tuesday, CUPW sent Canada Post a 72-hour strike notice. Later in the day, Canada Post responded with a notice of a lockout effective 8 a.m. Friday.

More than 300 postal workers in the Sudbury district are preparing in case there is a strike Friday. (Photo from video)

“We want to serve the public,” said Charlene Bradley, president of CUPW Local 612. Local 612 covers Sudbury, Manitoulin, Espanola and smaller communities like Noelville and Alban.

“We want to do our job, so we’re hoping things will settle down by Friday so we can continue to do our job. But everyone’s a little nervous trying to figure out what’s going to happen.”

About a third of CUPW Local 612 members are rural suburban letter carriers (RSMCs) or mail drivers. Bradley said they are seeking higher wages, while those working in sorting and delivery depots have health and safety concerns.

“A lot of injuries, especially with the new processes that Canada Post is putting in place with separate sorting and delivery,” she said.

“Where people will be doing the exact same job all day, the exact same movements causing repetitive strain injuries in our workers.”

Pensions are also part of the impasse.

“Canada Post wants to implement new pension procedures for our new employees,” Bradley said.

“So we are fighting for today’s workers as well as tomorrow’s workers… We want to retire with dignity.”

Similar issues

Bradley said many of the issues this time around are similar to those that surfaced in 2018, during rotating strikes at Canada Post branches across the country, including in Sudbury and North Bay.

“These things still haunt us today,” she said, referring to issues such as wages, health, safety and pensions.

The union has not yet decided whether the work stoppage will be rotating or an outright strike.

Jessica Montgomery, president of the Sudbury & District Labor Council, said she is concerned about issues surrounding postal workers.

“Supporting pregnant employees, those returning to work after maternity leave, and workers who are breastfeeding is essential to promoting gender equality in our workplaces,” Montgomery said.

“These are issues of housing rights.”

Montgomery said she was disappointed by comments on social media mentioning the time of year.

“It is now November and Christmas is coming, but these workers, like all other workers, have the right to strike,” she said.

“The inconvenience of our Christmas shopping does not concern these workers.”

Canada Post has said the postal system must change to be competitive and that it wants a more flexible and affordable delivery market.

In a press release, the company said: “It is essential that both parties focus their energies on resolving the issues in order to reach negotiated agreements. »

In the event of a strike, Canada Post said it would try to minimize service interruptions for customers, but warned of possible delays.

CUPW locals are working on plans for picket locations, with the hope that a new agreement can be reached before Friday.