Local Canadian Union of Postal Workers in North Bay are showing solidarity with their national bargaining team.

They held a 10 minute break outside the Canada Post operation on Worthington Street East this morning (Friday).

CUP-W Local 576 President Keith Bradford says it’s always positive when the two sides are negotiating, but they still wanted to deliver a message.

“To treat us fairly, to keep at the table, to keep talking and get that negotiated settlement. Negotiated settlement is the best way to get a fair deal for everybody,” he says.

The union represents upwards of 120 members in the area, from Sturgeon Falls to Mattawa.

Bradford says morale is good with the members.

“It’s positive, it’s upbeat, you’re always a little bit nervous when you’re in negotiations and you don’t know what’s going to happen next. Negotiations are always a fluid process, I’m cautiously optimistic,” he says.

The national presidents on both sides will be taking part in negotiations this weekend.

An original early Wednesday deadline for job action passed, with CUP-W saying it wouldn’t issue a mandatory 72-hour strike notice if there was progress at the bargaining table.

Wages and working conditions are the main sticking points.

 

(With files from The Canadian Press)

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