Hamilton next target for postal workers

Hamilton will be the next target of rotating strikes begun by urban members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.


Workers in Winnipeg began a 24-hour walkout Thursday night, and while they’ll be on the job again tomorrow, Hamilton will shut down for 48-hours over the weekend. Besides affecting Saturday pickups and delivery within the city, intercity delivery in an area from Niagara to London will be delayed until Monday.

In a last ditch effort to avoid any strike action, Canada Post presented a revised offer to the union last night but it wasn’t accepted.

Canada Post’s business has dropped 17% over the last five years. It’s not known what effect a protracted strike would have on use of the mail service, but over the last week many companies have been e-mailing and calling their clients to encourage signing up for electronic billing to avoid future labour disputes.

Many businesses have already switched to using private couriers rather than risk mail being caught in the system during a strike. Messengers International courier service in Toronto says it’s hired additional workers to handle the anticipated extra business. Purolator says it will bring in extra staff if needed to ensure its customers get the same level of service.

The last postal strike in 1997 ended with workers being legislated back to work after two weeks.