CANADA POST’S DIRTY LITTLE SECRET
Who would have thought we would see the day when Canada Post no longer chose to deliver all the mail to all the customers every day? What about their commitment to delivery standards? You may have read the Regional Bulletin (posted on our Local & Regional websites) of June 28th referring to occasions in the Region that Canada Post seemed to be starting a policy of non delivery – so this might not be news to you. Or maybe you heard the rumours, but they seemed too outrageous to be believed. Believe it. It has now started in our Local. Portions have been documented to have been not delivered in Capilano Delivery Centre. A third of the affected routes were left in the case and not sent out for delivery. No application of Article 17.04 despite the 
corporation not having the discretion to adopt a policy of non delivery.
In the same depot – inside clerk positions have gone vacant for known absences for weeks. Little attempt was made to staunch the resulting pile up of turnaround mail which was delayed for days! Mail was put out days & days after it had been machined!
Who exactly is delaying the mail in our local? Isn’t the delay of mail one of the most serious breaches of conduct to Canada Post? How can Canada Post representatives expect us to pay severe penalties for our (often accidental!) delays of mail when they are knowingly not staffing positions and holding back mail instead of sending it out on extension or incentive overtime?
We are reminded at weekly floor meetings, Canada Post writes updated information book notices on the delay of mail every couple of months. It’s a big deal! How can the intentional delay of mail to our customers on a largish scale (including businesses customers) not be a delay of mail?
Is the delay of mail serious or not?
“In order to stress the importance of meeting our service commitments you are reminded that the penalty for delay of mail is a five (5) day suspension and may be up to and including dismissal. The second offence in a twelve-month period will normally result in dismissal.” **
Canada Post has a universal service obligation under the Universal Postal Convention. The universal service obligation requires Canada Post to deliver mail five days a week to every address in Canada. You be the judge if Canada Post’s choosing not to deliver all of the mail is serious or not.
Is Canada Post speaking out of both sides of their mouths or are we crazy?
Or maybe it’s a case of do what I say but not what I do?
The same information book notice states: “However a few individuals have failed to complete their required duties, which have lead to delays of mail. These missed assignments directly affect the Corporation’s ability to consistently meet our service commitments.”
But…….if Canada Post chooses to not staff the positions that distribute and process the mail & if Canada Post chooses to not send out some of the Public’s first class mail on a particular route on a particular day – that’s o.k.?
Don’t worry, if you are confused, it is not you. Canada Post is well known for their hypocrisy in regards to most of their policies, in fact a phrase that comes to mind is ‘crazy making.’ You might not be confused however, you might feel angry and betrayed and rightly so when you have worked hard to deliver all of the mail every day. You may have even been disciplined for this policy that CPC claims is so important to the successful operation of Canada Post and yet CPC doesn’t live up to their own policies, procedures, and expectations.
What can we do?
Every single time we observe that Canada Post is choosing not to deliver mail – it is grieveable. Let your shop steward know specifics, (route numbers, etc.), email or contact the union hall. We can not and will not let this lack of service commitment to the public go unchallenged. We believe in a Public Post Office and the daily delivery of all mail to all Canadians.
KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN. TALK IT UP. DOCUMENT. KEEP INFORMED!
** Source:
Pacific Division Collection & Delivery Vancouver Information Book Notice Re-Issued July 19, 2010 To: All Employees From: Central, Northern & Vancouver Business Zone Managers
In Solidarity,
Janet Askin
Education Director
db/CUPE-3338