Another mail strike could be on the horizon as Canada Post and the Canada Postal Union Workers (CUPW) have hit a snag in negotiations. Reports from earlier this week show that Canada Post has hit pause on those negotiations, even as the May 22nd deadline approaches.
Teri Nobiss, the president of the local CUPW chapter, says they're watching what's happening carefully.
"The latest information that I've heard is that it's kind of come to a halt or a pause, as they're calling it. We're not really sure what's actually going to happen. We're hoping we don't go back on strike because we were actually paused back in December."
Last year, postal workers across the country went on strike as negotiations between Canada Post and CUPW stalled. For weeks, mail and package delivery was halted during the busiest shipping season globally. Employees picketed in front of Canada Post locations and warehouses. Just before Christmas, postal workers were ordered to go back to work due to an injunction handed down by the Canada Industrial Relations Board and former federal labour minister Steven McKinnon. Negotiations were pushed to May of this year.
A missed deadline will result in the local Canada Post members going back to picketing beginning on the 23rd.
Nobiss is hoping a resolution is reached so they can avoid any disruptions.
"Honestly, I would just hope that we resolve it and can stay working. We really don't want to be out. Nobody can afford to be out again. We've been out now for a month before, and we're just all hopeful that something happens before the 22nd."
Nobiss encourages people to contact their MP or make posts on social media to get the message out about the disruption which no resolution would cause.
Last time the postal workers had a strike, they found some support among the local community, which Nobiss says she's thankful for.
"We just want to say again, thank you so much for helping us out and giving us words of encouragement. It sure really did help, actually."
Noviss says that they're hoping to see a fair deal come out of these negotiations.