TIMMINS – Local postal workers were on strike today as part of a nationwide strike.

CUPW local 624 president Ed Yee said many of the members in Timmins are concerned about how the Canada Post strike will be handled.

“Most people who have been there for a while, we all think we’re going to be legislated back to work,” Yee said. “The only difference is that some people think it will be a week, and some people think it will be two.”

The Canada Post strike involving about 55,000 unionized workers started today (November 15).

With postal workers on the picket lines, packages can be delayed.

Canada Post released a statement at 4:30 p.m. saying packages already in the system will be affected by the strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). No new packages will be accepted until the job action is resolved.

The statement said some Canada Post locations will be closed but did not include details on where those closures would take place.

“This decision will have a significant and immediate impact on the millions of Canadians, small businesses and charities who rely on Canada Post during the busy holiday season,” Phil Legault, Canada Post media relations, said in an email. “A national strike by CUPW also means service to remote and northern regions dependent on Canada Post will be shut down.”

Yee said the hope is that Canada Post will negotiate in good faith.

“People can call or write to their MP and say negotiate, don’t legislate,” Yee said.

Canada Post laid out its current offer in the Nov. 15 email and it includes annual wage increases of 11.5 per cent over four years, protections for worker pensions, expanded leave rights and job security.

CUPW lists cost of living increases, company vehicles for rural/suburban carriers, work-life balance, pensions and health and safety issues on its website as the main sticking points in negotiations. The latest offer presented by the union on November 5 calls for a 22 percent wage increase over four years.

Yee said concerns about a new pension program are at the forefront of many members’ minds during the strike.

“Right now, nobody’s winning,” Yee said. “They need to figure it out.”