Mr. Stewart Bacon, CEO
Canada Post Corporation
2701 Riverside Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0B1
Dear Mr. Bacon:
It has come to my attention that Canada Post has instituted a policy in British Columbia that provides for non-delivery of mail when employees are 
absent from work. I have received reports that this change has affected the community of Castlegar. According to Mr. Ken Mooney, Regional Grievance Officer for CUPW-STTP, there have been at least 5 separate incidents of a similar nature in Cranbrook, in violation of the collective agreement, Canada Post Service Charter and the Canada Post Act.
In reference to your column to Canada Post employees entitled “Staying the Course”, you state that Canada Post is containing costs and making crucial improvements without sacrificing service. Yet, as Mr. Mooney points out to Mike Shearon, Divisional General Manager, in a letter dated August 5, 2010, the way in which this is being implemented points to a change in direction that directly opposes provisions in the collective agreement, which requires coverage of unstaffed letter carrier routes, as well as the above-mentioned service charter and the Canada Post Act.
According to Mr. Mooney, an enormous list of grievances have been filed as a result of this shift and yet, there does not appear to be an acknowledgement by Canada Post head office that this is taking place.
I am very concerned that Canada Post’s mandate for universal service will further be eroded if the new policy is rolled out throughout the rest of Canada.
Therefore, I respectfully urge you to reconsider what appears to be a change in both policy and practice to ensure that employee absences are covered by replacement staff. This way, Canadians will continue to enjoy the high quality of service from Canada Post they have received in the past.
Thank you, in advance, for your prompt attention to this serious issue.
Sincerely,
Alex Atamanenko, MP
BC Southern Interior
C: Ken Mooney, Regional Grievance Officer for CUPW-STTP
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Chris Charlton, NDP Critic for Canada Post
Mike Shearon – Divisional Regional Manager for Canada Post
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