Swift Current's postal workers are picketing up and down Central Avenue North today.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is planning to strike five days a week in downtown Swift Current until an agreement is reached with Canada Post.
Currently, the Crown Corporation is offering 11.5 per cent over the next five years. CUPW isn't willing to resume regular working habits until they see an offer of at least 24 per cent over four years.
Spark says the main source of the frustration on wages is that 11.5 per cent will not cover the damage being done by inflation. Swift Current CUPW President, David Spark, is marching with his fellow postal workers with that message in mind.
"They cry poor, but we are also feeling the pinch as well," said Spark. "Inflation has hit everybody. The simple fact is our wages haven't kept up with inflation, so we've lost money. We're not asking for more than just to, more or less, not lose money."
He highlighted how an issue with Canada Post and the Union is that historically, the Crown Corporation can drag its heels in negotiations. After a certain amount of time, the federal government will mandate workers back to their jobs. This kills any incentive for bargaining in good faith.
"They never really seriously negotiate. We want them to actually sit down at the table and take our demands seriously instead of ignoring them and waiting for the government to legislate."
Spark hopes that the job action ends reasonably before Christmas. The backlog of mail awaiting himself and others is already beginning to pile up. By the time Christmas hits, the mail pile will be more of a mail mountain if no agreement is reached.
"It's not good for anybody. It's not good for us."
For now, CUPW members will be marching five days a week in Swift Current. They are hopeful that their local leaders in government will notice their efforts, and put pressure on Canada Post on their behalf.
"We'd like to see more public support out here," said Spark. "We're a good service. When we're back in business, use us! We're required to do a better job than competing delivery services. We do a good job, and deserve to be paid for it."
People who wish to offer more support can do so directly by writing letters to their local MP, which in Swift Current is Jeremy Patzer, MP for Cypress Hills - Grasslands.