CUPW breaks CRTC rules in fight for public postal service, apologizes

OTTAWA, Oct. 15, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canada Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has concluded an investigation of automated calls made on behalf of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to constituents in Ontario. The resulting decision included a penalty of $50,000 and requirements for improvements to CUPW's compliance process.

"Our aim with the calls was to raise public awareness of cuts to the postal service, and encourage the public to exercise their democratic right to assert their views to their Member of Parliament," says Denis Lemelin, National President of CUPW. "We apologize for the errors and will ensure any future actions on post office cutbacks meet CRTC rules and regulations."

The calls were made to residents about post office downsizing and closures in their community. CUPW did not provide the name of the person on whose behalf the telecommunication was made and a mailing address and a local or toll-free telephone number where the telecommunication originator could be reached.

CUPW has fully cooperated with the CRTC investigation, and has paid the administrative penalty. The Union is also instituting a compliance program involving the appointment of a compliance officer, an education and training program for employees, appropriate record keeping, and promotion of better awareness of the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules.

SOURCE: Canadian Union of Postal Workers