After some 55,000 Canada Post employees went on strike, the Federal Government have stepped in.
Local 812 CUPW President, Rick Harris says it makes no sense to them as to why they were out for a month, only to be forced back to work.
He says there wasn’t any other choice than to extend the current collective agreement.
“We’ll need to be protected under the collective agreement to stop them from further layoffs or firing our members across the country so, that’s kind of an expected move.”
“What we were really hoping for is a negotiated contract, and by the look of that, the government’s hung us out to dry on that.”
Harris added they gave Canada Post their last proposal five days ago, and they have yet to hear back.
The Prince George Chamber of Commerce called for this action earlier this week but understand the Federal Government’s reluctance up to now.
Executive Director Neil Godbout says this is the way the process should work.
“This certainly dragged on for a long time so, I’m certainly thrilled to call it a Christmas miracle.”
“Would’ve liked to have seen it a week ago, or even better two weeks ago, but we’ll take it now.”
Godbout says this was detrimental for rural and isolated communities in the north, adding it may take some time before a sort of dollar figure could be determined.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
