The 55,000 members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have been on a nationwide strike since November 15th after negotiations at the bargaining table stalled with their employer Canada Post. Workers are fighting to protect pensions, improve working conditions, and a wage increase that keeps pace with inflation. As CUPW enters its second week on strike, Team Advantage goes to the picket line to hear what striking workers have to say. Recorded on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 in Calgary.
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(upbeat music) The Alberta Advantage is a proud member of the Harbinger Media Network. This independent listener-supported podcast is possible thanks to listeners like you. If you think what we do is important, support us with a monthly donation at patreon.com/albertaadvantage. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) - Hello and welcome to the Alberta Advantage. As you may have heard, 55,000 members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers has been on strike since Friday, November 15th, after a year of difficult negotiations had stalled. The big issues being wages and pensions. Despite being on strike, postal workers are going out of the way to make sure social assistance checks are delivered to those who depend on them. Katie from Team Advantage visited some of the striking postal workers in Northeast Calgary to chat. A cold front hit the city this week, but despite the chill, spirits were high and the fire was warm. (upbeat music) - So what do you guys think about the strike action? (upbeat music) (laughing) - What do we think about the strike action? - Say something. (upbeat music) - Don't ask me. (laughing) - Get the air longer than I have. - There we go. - I'm louder than you. - What do you think? - Why are you on strike? - Why are we on strike? We're on strike for health and safety reasons, for the letter carriers, for better wages and benefits, for our passion. - How long have you been with Canada, West? - I've been here 22 years. - Wow. - Yeah. - And so are you part of the urban? - No, no, I'm here. - I am a deserting part. - What, you're a big deserting, you're a rural. - Oh, you're a rural, you're a rural, you're a rural. - Yeah, you're a rural. - Yeah, I live in Strathmore, where I work out of Calgary. - Are you children? - Yeah. - Don't say something. - Yes. - And what do you think about the negotiations so far? - All right, so they need to meet us halfway, for sure. - Do you feel like they're doing that? - You know, no, no, they're saying no to everything. - Is there anything, you know? - Hopefully they can open up their eyes and see what's going on, you know? - I actually realize that they need to do something. - Yeah, you're feeling a lot of support from the community? - Well, half and half, you know, you get people driving by shooting the other fender, but whatever, you know? I think they're maybe just a little bit jealous or something, too, I don't know. - What would they be jealous of? (laughing) - Well, I mean, if we win this whole thing and we get better wages and everything, you know? - Sure. - But you'd be a little jealous of that, wouldn't ya? - But no, he's probably in a shitty situation and he's probably just thinking, you know, how dare they're in post-ies, they're on strike again and there's this, what? Every four years they go on strike. (laughing) - Have you been part of the previous strike actions? - Yeah. - How did they go? - Well, we got forced back. - Do you think it's gonna be different this time? - I think it's gonna be different this time, yeah. - Why? - Why? - Well, because there's a better turnout for a union people and we've got more support from the public, I believe. Yeah. - How are you thinking about negotiations so far? - I don't know. I think they're just being stubborn. Be careful. - Thank you. (laughing) - Yeah, all right. - Do you think they'll be out here for a while? - I have a feeling yeah. - Yeah? - Yeah. - Are you poor? - No, I'm not too bad. It's nice that we have a fire pit. Thank God for that, right? - Thank God. - Yeah. - Yeah, anything to add or anything do you wanna like tell Albertans? - Stick out for what you believe in. Stay strong. - And I guess maybe just like, why are you on strike? - Because I'm fed up with the bullshit that the CPC gives us. And it's about time that they open their eyes and realize that they're gonna treat their workers a little better. - Okay. - You know, rely on us. We're the ones that are actually doing the work for them. - Yeah, I saw that you guys who were delivering like government checks. - Yeah, that's great. I think it's just something for you. - Absolutely, 'cause they don't, they don't deserve to go through any hardship. You know, they need their money, right? So we definitely get them out for them. - Yeah. - Absolutely, that's important. - Okay, and what was your name? - Michelle. - Michelle. - Michelle Center. (upbeat music) - So what's your name? - My name is Wycliffe of the world. - And who are you? - I'm the president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Calgary Local, 17. - Okay, cool. How long have you been with Canada Post? - I've been with Canada Post for, it's been over 23 years now. - Oh, wow. And how long have you been involved in the union like this? - Yeah, it just took me two years in to realize that I need to get involved with the union. - Why? - Because I found super W's values aligned with my values and my commitment to our communities. - Yeah. - The communities. And so I found that relevant and right to me. - Yeah, I think I heard you guys are delivering socioeconomic checks in the government. - Yes, today we had our letter carriers and our RSMCs, the rural sub-male carriers, go out to deliver our socio-economic checks to the most vulnerable members of our society. And we do that because this is not about our issues in regards to us wanting to provide a service to Canadians, right? And so doing that to us is our giving back to society. - Yeah, thanks for that. Why are you on strike? - So we are on strike because Canada Post has not been bargaining in good faith. We started our negotiations November last year, 2023. Come January this year, we don't have a contract in place. And they've been just dragging their feet. The only time they gave us a global offer was when we announced we're gonna start taking a strike mandate vote. And then they gave us a global offer and which was not even addressing our needs and the issues that our members wanted. The second global offer we received after their announcement of our strike mandate, which was at 95%. - So how do you feel about the negotiations so far? - So we, during the call off, the government appointed a mediator who's been working with us. And then now they've appointed someone that was come Monday to help us in mediation yesterday. There's a little bit of a movement, but we do want Canada Post to move on the issues that matter the most to our members. And that they've not given us any green light. - Are you feeling solidarity from the community? - Yes, oh, thanks awesome. The public have been very supportive when you look at other unions, they've come out onto the picket line in support of our issues, knowing that you know what, we are in it together, right? It's chilly, but the members make us feel warm. - Yeah, it's getting cold out here and glad you guys have some fires. - Yes, yes, yeah. - Have you been part of previous strike actions? - Yes, I've been part of previous strike action and this is what I can say. Last two years ago and four years, I've never seen our engagement, our membership engagement right now is more than what I've ever seen previously. Yeah, and I've been through, when Stephen Harper administration legislated as back, that was the worst time in us. It came up with some penalties and all that. Hopefully we are not going there this time round. Why do you think you're feeling more engagement at this time? - I think our members are willing to extend our contract, knowing that we were just coming out of the pandemic, we really wanted to, that was the extension for two years. We really wanted to just, we were hoping Canada was supposed to come this time around and provide us with a better offer that addresses our issues. Unfortunately, that was not the case. They called us heroes, as you can tell. There's a signage there that says heroes work here, right on the employee entrance. But when you look at the way they treat us, when it comes to benefits, when it comes to wages that are not even catching up, we are way behind inflation rates right now. That, to me, is very disappointing. They are willing and they are investing, they announce they're gonna invest four billion in the next five years in infrastructure. We are saying that is not just enough. We also need to invest on the people that actually create wealth and bring revenue to this company. - Do you think you'll be out here for long? - Yeah, today's Friday will be us one week out. And so we are hoping that we can wrap this up as quick as possible. Hopefully, Canada Post can realize the harm it's doing to the public and to small businesses. It's huge, they need to come to the table, negotiate in good faith, allow our members, no different from today to go out and deliver, 'cause that is what we do. This is a service that we provide to Canadians under the act that created Canada Post. And so we need to provide this service. We wanna provide this service, even if it means seven day delivery. We are ready for that. It's only Canada Post that is holding us back. - What do you think about the impact of delivery services like Amazon? - Yeah, so Amazon delivers, they focus a lot on cities and towns, right? So Amazon is out there delivering packages with us. But Amazon, when it comes to last mile, it's Canada Post, why? This is, Canada Post has an edge over any company that wants to deliver packages. Why? Because we visit almost every single postal address on a daily basis. And so that is our edge. We can out-compete any company and at a very good rate, right? And so yes, the Amazon's are there, right? But they don't invest heavily on communities like Canada Post does. Canada Post is a service being provided. If we make profit, we invest it in services. If we have extras, we invest it on the people that actually do their work. - Why is the work that Canada Post and the actual workers that do it important? - It is important because as a service, you know, you have the fire service. You do also have the Canada service, right? - Yeah. - You do also have 911 service. These are all services. And when they are needed, they are needed. And so we are out there delivering parcels. We are out there delivering letters. We are out there delivering checks. We are out there delivering anything that comes through us and in millions. And so it's guaranteed and the people who deliver live and work in those communities and those good paying jobs and those good benefits goes back to the community itself. - Thank you so much. Is there anything else you'd like to add? - I'd like to say this, first and foremost, I just want to say thank you for coming out. And also thank you for the public, for the support. And more importantly, we need to stand up and ask our government to allow Canada Post to continue providing services. Canada Post had a postal bank for almost 100 years until early 1960s when that was shut down. That is also another stream of revenue that can be generated through the Post Office and invested back into service delivery. We are also willing to partner with other agencies to provide elder check-ins because our members are trusted in those communities that they deliver in. And we can work with those agencies or those health bodies to provide a check-in for seniors who wants to retire, dignified in their own homes. And we are there to partner with any agencies out there and Canada Post needs to take on this. It's being offered in other countries in Europe, Japan, Asian countries. And that's something that we can provide out here. - If the public wants to show their support, what's the best way they can do that? - The best way to do that would be to call your MP and just let them know that you need this service to continue. - Okay, thank you so much, and solidarity. - Albert Advantage is part of the Harbinger Media Network. fellow Harbinger Media host and friend of the show, Duncan Kinney is facing politically motivated charges from the Edmonton Police Service. And he has done excellent critical coverage of on the progress report. This legal battle has been very costly and he is currently fundraising for support. If you'd like to help out, search Duncan Kinney Legal Defense Fund on GoFundMe.com. Thanks and stay safe out there. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (dramatic music)
