'It's getting a bit scary': Calgary Canada Post worker worried as national strike drags on

Jennifer Henson, a local mail delivery worker, is concerned as the Canada Post strike reaches the two-week mark.

Henson, a rural-suburban Canada Post mail carrier who lives in Calgary, delivers mail in Bragg Creek, Alta., a hamlet west of the city, and along Highway 8. She's been with Canada Post for 16 years.

Things are getting tough after two weeks on the picket line, she said.

"It's getting a bit daunting, it's getting a bit scary. Obviously, we're not making a paycheck — and in today's economy, [that's] not suitable for anybody," she said.

Henson's spouse also works for Canada Post. Given neither of them have income at the moment, she decided to move her family to live with her parents and deferred payments on a number of expenses. She added she has two teenaged sons to provide for.

She says she and other Canada Post workers on the picket line get some support from Calgarians who pass by.

"People that smile and wave and honk as they drive by. We've had people that have come and dropped off coffee for us, just people walking saying that they support us, which obviously helps the morale hugely," Henson said.

"Of course, you do get the ones that have really horrible things to say, which is hard."

She added some people resent Canada Post workers for striking so close to the holidays, accusing them of "cancelling Christmas."

"This is when we are in the position to strike and it's unfortunate because, as much as it's hurting us, it's also hurting the public, which we don't want," Henson said, adding she's confident other carriers feel the same way.

Canada Post workers are striking for safer working conditions, better pay and to keep the same pension and benefits. Henson feels it's not too much to ask, given the high cost of living.

"At the end of the day, we all want a job, we all want a career that we can be proud of, and we all want a career that can pay the bills," she said. 

"We're not asking for the moon and the stars; we're asking for a fair wage increase."

Henson added she didn't anticipate the strike to continue for as long as it has, and was not prepared to be out of work for so long.