Canada Post workers rally in Yellowknife on day 6 of national strike

Canada Post workers in Yellowknife held a rally in the city's frigid downtown on Wednesday, the sixth day of an ongoing national strike.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says about55,000 workers in its mail carrierbargaining units are off the job.

The Canada-wide strike began Friday after the union could not reach a negotiated agreement with the employer overissuesincluding wages, expansion of services, and worker safety.

In Yellowknife on Wednesday, Canada Post employee Danielle Hawes said the workers hopefor a fair resolution but will be on the picket line in the meantime.

"We're willing to do whatever it takes. You know, we're here at 20 below and, you know, we're still smiling and still going strong. So as long as it takes, we'll be here," said Hawes.

Canada Post media relations says post offices that arepart of a different bargaining group or are at dealer locations will remain open during the strike.

In the N.W.T., the majority of post offices are dealer locations, the corporation says, while workers at the Fort Simpson and Forth Smith post offices are represented by a different union.

However, the post officesin Yellowknife, Nahanni Butte and Hay River arestaffed by CUPWmembers, and so those offices will be closed during the strike.

"No new mail or parcels will be accepted until the national disruption is overexcept for parcel returns. There will also be no collection or delivery for any post offices for the duration of a national disruption," reads a statement fromCanada Post.

Hawes says the support the unionized workers havereceived from the public in Yellowknife has been really nice.

"I think it's very important. You know, we just want to kind of get back to work, but there's things that we want to do in order for that to happen. So hopefully we can work it out and stay strong on the way," said Hawes.

Hawes added that it's a difficult time for a lot of people inCanada due to inflation, and she hopes the two sidescan negotiate something that's good for everyone.

"We haven't had a raise in a couple of years. You know, we did work through COVID, and with inflationit's, you know, we're just trying topay our mortgages and pay our vehicle bills and buy groceries," said Hawes.

The federal government has appointed a mediator and negotiations are ongoing.

In the N.W.T., the strike is not expected toaffect the delivery of territorial benefits such as income assistance and the seniors' home heating subsidy.