UFCW Eastern Provinces Council Locals 864, 1288P and 1252 stand in solidarity with members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Nova Local who held a practice picket line in Halifax on Nov. 1.  

 

The practice picket was held as a sign of action following a recent contract offer from the employer which nowhere near met the asks of the bargaining unit – most notably in wage increases and a new health benefits program designed to take more money from members. 

 

UFCW EPC Local 864 member representative Dikota Williams joined the postal workers on the picket line on Nov. 1 amidst a wave of community support with loud cheering and horns blown in solidarity. 

 

“This is our last chance to send a message before we hear if they’re locking us out,” said Dwayne Corner, CUPW Nova Local president.  

 

When speaking with members on the line, many expressed the inability to find or afford consistent childcare due to a unstructured work schedule.  

 

New hires have been asked to remain available for an upwards of 30 working hours per week, but are only being guaranteed 15 hours, causing disruptions to proper employee work/life balance and struggles with childcare.  

 

Workers are also looking to halt a change to the health benefits plan which would see any new hires after 2026 be covered under a defined benefits program instead of the historic contribution plan the Local has been using.  

 

UFCW Eastern Provinces Council will continue to stand in solidarity with CUPW Nova Local workers until they can reach a collective agreement.