Striking Nanaimo postal workers disrupt Purolator operations
NANAIMO — Striking Canada Post workers in Nanaimo caused minor disruptions to an oversubscribed shipping company which the Crown corporation holds a majority ownership stake in.
Around 30 people wearing bright yellow vests and carrying signs stood outside the exit of the Purolator depot on Boxwood Rd. around 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, allowing the delivery trucks to enter through the gates, but preventing them from leaving.
Shane Lorenz, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Nanaimo Local 786, said their members are not happy with Purolator taking over the delivery of parcels normally done by Canada Post, as the strike enters its fourth week.
“I know it’s not their (the drivers) fault, but Doug Ettinger is the CEO of Canada Post and sits on the board at Purolator, which I think is a major conflict of interest, and a lot of people don’t know Canada Post owns 91 per cent of Purolator, so they’re really a subsidiary of Canada Post. Our work is being filtered directly to them, so while we’re out here not working, they’re working extra hard.”