As Municipalities Fight the Cuts, Postal Workers Raise Citizens' Concerns

OTTAWA, Feb. 18, 2015 /CNW/ - As the City of Montreal joins the long list of municipalities that have come out swinging against the loss of door-to-door delivery, a special delivery is landing on the doorsteps of those responsible for Canada Post's cuts.

Since Canada Post began the cuts, members of the public have written to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to voice their concerns about losing home mail delivery and being forced to use group mailboxes. The union has compiled their voices into a letter addressed to Lisa Raitt, the federal Minister responsible for Canada Post as well as its President and CEO, Deepak Chopra.

"Overwhelmingly, people do not like the idea or reality of the elimination of door-to-door delivery or the problems associated with it," said Denis Lemelin, National President of CUPW.

The letter features quotes from people across the country, raising familiar concerns with the community mail boxes' impacts on safety, frozen locks, slips and falls, litter, traffic and parking, theft and vandalism, and property values.

"People tell us that they are worried about the consequences for seniors, women, people with disabilities and those in poor health," said Lemelin, pointing to the recent slips and falls by seniors reported in the media. "They are frustrated and angry that they were not properly consulted. And they value their letter carriers and their door-to-door service."

The letter also points out that Canada Post appears to have "cherry-picked" comments from its inadequate and largely online consultation process to "suggest most people support" the cuts.

Since the announcement of the cuts, over 423 municipalities have voiced opposition, the City of Hamilton has announced the cuts come with a heavy price tag and the Montreal Commission is recommending strong action, including joining the constitutional court challenge of the elimination of door-to-door delivery.

SOURCE Canadian Union of Postal Workers

Related Links

http://www.cupw-sttp.org