NORTHWEST TERRITORIES/NUNAVUT

Canada Post workers in the NWT and across Canada could be hitting the picket line unless there is a drastic change in their union negotiations before their May 24 strike deadline.

Lynda Lafrancois, president of CUPW Local 858 said she voted to go on strike if a new contract with Canada Post cannot be reached. She said it isn't fair for new employees to be paid less than her. - Kevin Allerston/NNSL Photo

In an April 17 strike vote, 94.5 per cent of unionized members from across Canada voted to strike, according to Donald Lafleur, vice president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).

"We held about 30 strike votes across Canada, and 94.5 per cent voted in favour of striking," said Lafleur.

The issue is around a 30 per cent reduction in pay for new Canada Post workers as well as changes to health benefits.

Lynda Lafrancois is president of the Yellowknife chapter of CUPW Local 858. While she can't say how other unionized members at the Yellowknife branch voted, since it was a private vote, she voted in favour of strike action.

"I personally voted to strike. What the corporation came out with was a global offer saying that any new employees, new hires, will be paid 30 per cent less than what current employees would be paid," said Lafrancois. "They would be paid for a 37.5 hour week while I am being paid for a 40 hour week - in other words, they were not going to pay their lunch."

"After ten years they would pay them 10 minutes of a lunch. After 20 years they would give them 20 minutes, and after 30 years they would be paid a half hour lunch. To me that's not fair. The person sitting beside me has to be paid the same I'm being paid," said Lafrancois.

"Our sick days that we have had since 1968, we fought for years for benefits and they want to replace them," said Lafrancois.

She said that if Canada Post does strike, mail services will effectively stop. However, Yellowknife postal workers will take time away from the picket line to ensure pension cheques are delivered, she added.

Nastassja Hunter works at the Hay River post office. While she couldn't say how the members at the Hay River office voted, she said she supports the strike measure.

"They are wanting to change the pay for new employees and change our health benefits. This is the only way we will get a fair contract," said Hunter.

Unlike in Yellowknife, Hunter said the Hay River postal workers could not guarantee penison cheques would be delivered.

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