Solidarity picket delays return to work for B.C. postal employees

RICHMOND, B.C. -

It was the first day back for Canada Post employees – ordered to return to work by the Industrial Relations Board. But it didn’t go entirely to plan.

Solidarity picket lines were set up by various labour organizations which blocked access to a number of facilities.

That included the Pacific Processing Centre in Richmond.

“Of their own volition, other labour movements have come together to stop work happening at the PPC, the Pacific Processing Plant,” CUPW Vancouver organizing director Kat Poch told CTV News in an interview Tuesday outside the picket line. ““We were met with support from the (B.C. General Employees' Union), and the (Vancouver District Labour Council) and the New Westminster Labour Council and quite a few other people stopping, not only our workers from going in, but also management – and really supporting us.”

CTV News asked an employment lawyer about these solidarity picket lines and their legality – given the workers have been ordered to return to the job.

“You can throw people in jail – ultimately – ultimately, not immediately,” Howard Levitt said. “You can levy fines, you can levy fines to the union supporting it. You can call in the police to break up the picket lines and the government has to have the cajones to do that – and they should do that.”

Eventually those workers made their way inside the facility but there's clearly still a lot of anger about the fact they've been ordered back.

“We’re all disappointed,” added Poch. “We were honestly hoping for better. We’ve been legislated back time and time again and they’ve just found a way to send us back without legislation. We have to wait to see how the appeal goes through the CIRB.”

One group feeling more optimistic about the situation is the Surrey Board of Trade – even though it appears many people will not get items they had hoped would be delibverd during the holiday season.

“It is a little bit too close to Christmas time for orders to get out on time, for customers to receive them prior to Christmas, however this does provide some sort of respite for the business community,” Jasroop Gosal told CTV News on Tuesday.

The workers eventually were able to get into the processing centre when the solidarity picket line dispersed in the early afternoon.

Canada Post has declined interview requests – but said delivery delays could last well into January 2025.