Issue: CUPW members in Calgary and Edmonton area hit picket lines last night (Tuesday, June 7th) for a 24-hour strike

Actions Requested: Join the picket line until 9 p.m. in Calgary at 1100 - 49 Avenue, N.E.; join the picket line at the main plant in Edmonton at 12135 - 149 Street until 10 p.m. or at the downtown plant at 9808 - 103A Avenue until 9 p.m. Check your local Canada Post depots for picket lines.

When: Immediately

Issue:

Postal workers in the Calgary and Edmonton areas hit the picket lines last night in their fight for an improved public postal service, safer working conditions and fairness for all employees.

Now it's time to show your support for your local posties by joining them on the line.

In Calgary, go to the main plant at 1100 49 Avenue N.E., where picketing will continue until 9 p.m. today (Wednesday).

In Edmonton, there will be pickets at the main plant at 12135 - 149 Street until 10 p.m. There will be pickets at the downtown plant at 9808 - 103A Avenue until 9 p.m. There will also be pickets at other Canada Post depots, including those at St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Camrose, Wetaskiwin and Fort Saskatchewan.

Gord Fischer, National Director of the Prairie region for CUPW, explained the reason behind the union's choice for its Edmonton and Calgary locals to go out next.

"Canada Post is refusing to put proper staffing in place, leading to overwork and forced overtime," Fischer said. "Routes don't get covered and mail ends up sitting in the depots, leading to complaints about service."

"The union has clear demands about improving our service and making sure adequate staffing is in place. Canada Post wants us to do more with less, regardless of what that does to the public's postal service."

Canada Post continues to dismiss the union's demands that health and safety issues be addressed. It also will not acknowledge the postal workers' proposals for innovation and service expansion to keep the corporation profitable.