Postal Workers Strike Highlights Rural Post Office Closures
Babe Seguin, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) local chapter 738, told Energeticcity.ca that postal workers' strikes since September have raised awareness about potential closures of rural post offices.
Shift from Daily to Rotating Strikes
The Peace region postal workers initially held daily strikes to draw attention to the issue but have now moved to rotating strikes. Seguin emphasized that this change has not weakened their message.
At-Risk Post Offices
- Altona
- Buick
- Cecil Lake
- Charlie Lake
- Clayhurst
- Montney
- Prespatou
- Rose Prairie
- Tumbler Ridge
- Retail offices in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John
These offices were under a moratorium protecting them from closure, but this may be lifted due to proposed mail service cutbacks.
Canada Post Response
Canada Post’s media department stated that Minister Lightbound has 45 days to present a plan to implement federal government measures announced in early September. The plan aims to:
- Prioritize service delivery
- Minimize public impact with careful implementation
- Respect employees
- Keep the public informed
- Adapt flexibly to the changing needs of Canadians using postal services
The postal workers’ strike underscores the tension between preserving rural postal services and federal cost-cutting measures.
Would you like the summary to be more formal or conversational?