The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says job action will begin next week if agreements cannot be reached for the Urban Postal Operations and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers bargaining units.
CUPW said If job action is necessary, rotating strikes will begin at 12:01 a.m., Monday, October 22 in yet to be determined locations.
The union issued the strike notice to Canada Post on Tuesday.
CUPW said key demands include job security, no forced overtime, equality for rural workers, service expansion and better health and safety measures.
The union said Canada Post has failed to properly address the massive increase in parcel volumes and the burden it has placed on members.
CUPW added workplace injuries have increased by 43 per cent over the last two years. In a news release, the union said the disabling injury rate for a letter carrier is eight times the average of the rest of the federal sector, which includes longshore work, mining, road transport and railways.
"Our members gave us a clear mandate to take job action if Canada Post refused to address our major issues – health and safety, gender equality and preserving full-time, middle-class jobs," said Mike Palecek, CUPW's national president. "Our goal is still negotiated settlements with no postal disruption. This week is Canada Post's chance to make that happen."
"A Crown Corporation should do better and can do better. Our members deserve better," said Palecek.
