The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has started the first of rotating strikes around the country. The union, which last went on strike in 1997 is trying to avoid being forced back to work by the government. They will continue to deliver social assistance and pension checks. The union says that they hope the strike encourages management to come back to bargaining with a proposal that meets the needs of workers. Canada Post says that it cannot afford the union's demands, and that it needs concessions to stay profitable. The company's annual report for 2009 showed a profit for the 15th straight year.
See "Canada postal workers begin rotating strike", Rod Nickel and Randall Palmer, Reuters, June 2, 2011