SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The nationwide rotating postal strike reached Yellowknife Thursday, bringing with it a group of unionized Canada Post workers to the picket line.

"Canada Post has got to go," yelled Yellowknife postal workers on Thursday. Roberta Hazelton, left, Tanya Hicks, Loretta Kaminski, Lynda Lefrancois, Evelyn Ray, and Dale Bouchard stood on the picket line in the morning to show their solidarity with Canada Post workers across the country. - Nicole Veerman/NNSL photo

"We feel great about it," said Lynda Lefrancois, president of the Yellowknife branch of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. She said she was informed that Yellowknife, along with 12 other communities across the nation, would be the next to strike Wednesday evening.

Despite the short notice, Lefrancois said she and her fellow unionized postal workers were ready.

"We were prepared before the 72-hour notice was given," she said, referring to the union's requirement to give management notice before going on strike, which it did last week.

CUPW began rotating strikes across the country on June 3, with Edmonton and Calgary holding their 24-hour strikes on Tuesday, finishing on Wednesday.

The union's main concern is that Canada Post wants a 30 per cent reduction in pay for new Canada Post workers, as well as changes to benefits.

While on the picket line, Lefrancois led the group in a chant, saying, "Canada Post has got to go. Two-tier wages have to go."

Mary Lou Cherwaty, president of the Federation of Labour for Northern Territories, joined the group on the picket line and said the biggest issue in the strike is equality.

"Canada Post is trying to implement a two-tiered system of wages and benefits, whereby new hires would not be offered the same rates of pay, or the same benefits, or even the same pensions as the existing workers.

"This will cause a huge amount of strife on workplace floors, and if they're allowed to get away with this, it will be like a disease across this country, whereby other employers and corporations will try to do the same thing."

There were signs of support for the workers from the community as cars drove by honking and people waved their arms out the windows.

Postal services in the city will resume today, said Lefrancois.

Although Yellowknife's turn on the picket line is over, the GNWT will not be sending mail until the unionized workers have reached a deal with Canada Post. Instead, packages will be available for pick-up.

Driver's licences and identification cards will be available for pickup at the Road Licensing and Safety Division office on Franklin Avenue. Pay cheques can be acquired at the Department of Finance office on 49 Street. And income assistance, student financial assistance and child care user subsidy cheques can be picked up at the Department of Education, Culture and Employment office on 52 Street.

The Department of Transportation is advising applicants to pick up their card at the issuing office 21 days after applying for a driver's licence or general identification card.

Earl Blacklock, spokesperson for the department, said residents will be asked to pick up their packages until the nationwide strike is complete.

"It's in place whether they're rotating or whether they're on full strike until the deal is made," said Blacklock.

Government issued identification must be presented in order to collect personal packages.

People receiving government cheques by direct deposit will not be affected by the change.

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