Support staff launch strike at Canada Post

Support staff at post offices across the country walked off the job Monday, although Canada Post says customers should see no disruption in delivery.

About 2,400 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada launched a strike early Monday, three days after PSAC served formal notice to the Crown corporation.

PSAC represents workers who handle clerical, financial, engineering and administrative work.

The union said 88 per cent of its members voted in favour of the strike, largely because of opposition to proposals on short-term disability and sick leave.

At a small picket line at a St. John's Canada Post processing centre, PSAC representative Mike Stokes said the Crown corporation is trying to shave costs by taking advantage of the national employment insurance program.

"Canada Post wants our employees to liquidate all their sick leave — a benefit that they've had for at least 50 years — and they want to replace it with ... applying for the sick portion of EI," Stokes told CBC News Monday.

Near the Canada Post headquarters on Heron Road in Ottawa, traffic was backed up around the corner by 8 a.m.

About eight picketers were stopping buses and other vehicles and forcing them to wait several minutes before entering.

Union spokeswoman Maria Fitzpatrick said the picket lines had been put up at 4 a.m. and would remain until 8 p.m.

In a statement, PSAC president John Gordon pointed to an unhealthy bargaining climate as leading to the strike.

"Management at Canada Post Corporation has to learn that they cannot unilaterally impose working conditions to its workers without negotiating with the union first," Gordon said.

PSAC said the strike would "have an impact on mail delivery in Canada."

However, Canada Post attempted Monday to assure customers that mail delivery will continue as normal.

In a statement, Canada Post said the striking workers "are predominantly administrative and technical workers and do not handle the mail. Employees responsible for the collection and delivery of the mail are members of a separate union and have a valid contract.

"Canada Post will use every means necessary to ensure that mail delivery is unaffected," the statement said.