Holly Isaac's day started around 5 a.m.

The Walnut Grove resident got up early on Monday, Nov. 18, to be on time for the start of her 6 a.m. shift on the picket line outside the 91原创 Canada Post depot on Production Way.

It is her first strike.

"We're here today because we are fighting for a fair contract, a right to retire with dignity, health and safety conditions, as well as an expansion of the public postal services that we all cherish here in 91原创," Isaac, the first vice president of the Fraser Valley West Local of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, told the 91原创 Advance Times.

Postal workers were picketing the 91原创 depot on Production Way early Monday morning

鈥� 91原创 Advance Times (@91原创Times)

Isaac is one of 55,000 postal workers who went on strike across the country on Friday, Nov. 15.

She said the postal corporation halted coverage for the strikers the same day.

"Canada Post has cut off the benefits for all of our postal workers as well as short-term disability," Isaac said.

In response to a Langle Advance Times query, a Canada Post spokesperson issued a statement that maintained cancelling coverage during a walkout is permitted.

"We鈥檝e informed employees that their expired collective agreements are no longer in effect and their terms and conditions of employment have now changed, as allowed under the Canada Labour Code," the statement said.

"With our business down significantly, we have taken steps to adjust our operations."

On Monday, both sides returned to the bargaining table with Peter Simpson, a special mediator appointed by the federal government.

Canada Post, which wants a switch to a seven-day-a-week parcel delivery, said it is offering wage increases of 11.5 per cent over four years and improvement to defined-benefit pensions and job security.

While previous postal strikes have ended with back-to-work legislation, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has said he isn't looking at "any other solution other than negotiation.鈥�

Isaac said Canada Post "needs to show up and actually negotiate properly."

"We need a fair wage," Isaac said. "They promised that, when we extended our contract in good faith in 2022 when it was supposed to expire, and they need to actually honour that."

"We can't afford to be dealing with inflation the way that we are. We're drastically underpaid and our health and safety is at risk every single day."