Canada Post workers ready for strike vote

Canada Post employees demonstrated in Montreal Monday in a show of protest against their employer’s latest contract offer.

A press release from the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) Oct. 1 said the workers are members of the Union of Postal Communications Employees (UPCE), a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

“The employer’s last offer is an insult. We have no choice but to take a strike vote and to move our members toward strike action,” says Richard Des Lauriers, UPCE National President. Des Lauriers was speaking at the demonstration in front of Canada Post’s Montreal plant.

The protest comes in response to a “take it or leave it” offer tabled by Canada Post Aug. 21. Des Lauriers characterizes the employer’s behaviour as “completely unacceptable” and warned that his members will not be bullied into accepting concessions.

The UPCE negotiating team will seek a strike mandate in an effort to force Canada Post to modify its latest offer. The strike vote will be held in all regions of the country starting today.