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Some 55,000 postal workers went on strike Friday morning across Canada. These pressure tactics were a response to the intransigence of Canada Post management which, with the support of the liberal government supported by the unions, wants to impose radical concessions on the workforce. These include below-inflation wage increases, more “flexible” working arrangements, and the use of new technologies to massively increase exploitation of workers.

The strike only took place after months of delay on the part of the leaders of the Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). Ultimately, Canada Post management’s provocative decision to respond to the union’s 72-hour strike notice by announcing its intention to repeal all contractual protections forced the union’s hand. With workers having won a 95 percent strike vote in October, CUPW bureaucrats feared losing control of the situation if they called anything other than a national strike.

Talk to World Socialist Website journalists and members of the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee (PWRFC), the strikers denounced the ruthless practices of Canada Post management in its incessant quest to increase profits.

“The reason I say it’s crazy is because this scenario has been happening over and over again since 2011,” said one Alberta forward. “Why are we even talking about a contract when it is never respected by the company. The proof of non-compliance with the contract is the enormous number of grievances filed each year. The number of grievances should be 10 times higher, but most of us think the grievance process doesn’t work and most of us don’t file them. Courageous people who file complaints are usually targeted.

A northern Ontario worker spoke out about the skyrocketing cost of living and denounced Canada Post’s opposition to reasonable wage increases. “While going on strike is not favorable and I would like the company to be able to compromise and meet our needs, it is very necessary to go on strike to put pressure on them to respond to our demands and let them know that we will not tolerate accepting less than we deserve,” she said.

“I’ve been in this position for almost nine years, eight of which have been full-time, and I make just over minimum wage.