鈥擴pdate Nov. 15, 11 a.m.鈥�
Pickets are down at Squamish Terminals and up at the downtown Canada Post office as labour disputes continue with both.
Canada Post workers across Canada are officially on strike starting today.
As of 11 a.m., there are pickets up at the outlet in downtown Squamish.
The issued a 72-hour strike notice Tuesday after failing to reach an agreement with Canada Post over wages and safer working conditions, among other things, after about one year of bargaining.
The union said Canada Post issued a lockout notice earlier in the week that was said to start on Nov. 15, as well.
Yesterday, Canada Post, a Crown corporation owned by the federal government, issued a statement that said, "Canada Post will continue delivering and make every effort to minimize service disruptions. However, customers should be prepared for possible delays in the processing and delivery of mail and parcels."
This morning, Canada Post i
"Canada Post鈥檚 operations will shut down during a national strike, affecting millions of Canadians and businesses across the country 鈥� Customers will experience delays due to the strike activity. Mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered for the duration of the national strike, and some post offices will be closed. Service guarantees will be impacted for items already in the postal network. No new items will be accepted until the national disruption is over. Items will be delivered as quickly as possible once operations resume."
In terms of the ports, on Nov. 13, the employer, the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association, said that because the federal government was intervening in the dispute, as of Thursday, Nov. 14, it would order the start-up of the ports.
A hearing is set for Nov. 18. This will allow both sides in the dispute to be heard.
On Nov. 14, the union to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship & Dock Foremen Local 514 site saying that the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) had circulated a letter on behalf of the unions, who are requesting that CLC affiliates "publicly condemn the government鈥檚 use of Section 107 provisions to send bargaining into binding arbitration and infringing on the right to strike."
"ILWU and CUPE also request that affiliates consider acting as intervenors in the challenges related to these matters and call for the bargaining process to be maintained in all cases."
鈥擮riginal story Nov. 14鈥�
Squamish business leaders hope for a swift and lasting resolution to current labour disputes as the busy holiday season approaches.
With a lockout at ports, which has kept shipments from reaching businesses since Nov. 4, and a pending Canada Post lockout, the heads of and say their members are鈥攐r could be鈥攏egatively impacted.
"In regards to both the port lockout and the possibly pending Canada Post strike, the Squamish Chamber respects the right to the collective bargaining process, and it is disappointing when negotiations between two parties are not successful," said Anne MacKenzie, executive director of the chamber.
"Our port infrastructure and postal service are both critical to the health and success of businesses鈥攍ocally and beyond鈥攁nd I am sure some businesses may be concerned about the potential impact on their supply chain, especially as we head into a busy and profitable time of year for many."
Kerry Neil, executive director for the Downtown Squamish BIA, shared a similar sentiment.
"The port lockout and potential Canada Post strike significantly impact downtown Squamish businesses, especially as we approach the holidays, the biggest time for receiving goods," Neil said.
"It will especially affect those relying on timely shipments and mail services. Many of our BIA members depend on the smooth flow of goods and communications to serve customers. Shipping delays, increased costs, and disruptions to mail could hurt cash flow, delay orders, and affect customer satisfaction," Neil added.
"Smaller businesses, in particular, may face challenges in absorbing these additional costs or finding alternative solutions. Our members must be flexible, and we will help them explore alternative shipping carriers. We will also help strengthen communications with customers, informing them about any delays through our social media channels. While these disruptions may be beyond our control, we鈥檙e committed to supporting our local businesses through this uncertain time."
Port dispute background
The port lockout, which has seen container cargo traffic at terminals on the West Coast at a standstill since Nov. 4, began after contract negotiations involving 730 longshore supervisors with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship & Dock Foremen Local 514, broke down.
Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said on Tuesday he told the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order operations to restart as of today (Thursday, Nov. 14) and force the union and the employer, 小蓝视频 Maritime Employers Association, into binding arbitration.
The two and employer are retirement benefits and automation.
The union has said it will fight the fed鈥檚 push to send them into binding arbitration.
"We will fight this order in the courts. We will fight the arbitrated forced contract in the courts," said Frank Morena, president of the local, in a news release.
A hearing is set for Nov. 18.
Canada Post
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), if agreements could not be reached for the Urban Postal Operations and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) bargaining units in that timeframe. This would have put them in a legal position to strike as of Friday, Nov. 15.
The same day, Canada Post served the Union with a 72- hour notice of lockout. This notice takes effect as of Friday at 8 a.m.
Unresolved issues include the union's call for wage increases in line with inflation, and more time to prepare and deliver neighbourhood mail, among many other issues.
~With files from Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press
