Mail distribution in the Tri-Cities was halted Monday as the Canadian Union of Postal Workers continued rotating strikes across the country in a bid to get a new contract.
“We want to deliver the mail but the health and safety issues have to be addressed,” Alvaro De La Cruz, president of the Royal City local told the Tri-City News.
The walk out began 8 a.m. Monday with postal workers wearing signs and walking near the distribution centre in Port Coquitlam.
Workers were also off the job in Coquitlam, Port Moody and New Westminster, as well as Maple Ridge, Mission and Abbotsford.
“We have been told to put pickets up until further notice,” De La Cruz said.
Meanwhile, the union leadership and Canada Post are in mediation talks that began last Wednesday.
Rotating strikes have occurred in Victoria, Edmonton, Windsor, Halifax, Toronto, and have moved on to Nelson, Prince George and Dawson Creek in B.C.
Thousands of workers have participated in 24-hour walkouts protesting health and safety concerns and forced overtime, according to the union.
