There is growing opposition to Canada Post management’s decision to close the Pointe- Saint-Charles post office in Montreal. The Montreal-based citizen’s group Action-Gardien has been fighting the closure since last October. Last week more than 130 demonstrators, including postal workers from the Montreal local, Montreal and Quebec regions and national office, held a lively demonstration in downtown Montreal outside of CPC management’s Regional Forum to publicize the issues. The response of CPC President Moya Greene was to refuse to speak with the representatives from the community. Following the demonstration, CUPW national and regional representatives met with the group to discuss ways to work together to prevent the closure and expand postal services to this working class community.

The group has refuted all of the reasons CPC has given to try and justify the closure. Here are their arguments.

1. Location: CPC wants to relocate the post office in an area which is not served by public transit.
2. The “business” decision:  CPC is not a business serving just the private sector. Canada Post is an important public service. It is profitable now and has been so for the last 11 years.
3. The post office is important: CPC says the post office is underused. Between 200 and 300 people use the post office every month to get money orders. Many of these people do not have bank accounts. If the post office is underused why is it being moved away from a residential area?
4. Size: CPC says the post office is bigger than required and that the lease will soon be up. The Mayor has confirmed that the Municipal Housing Authority is ready to continue the lease and adjust the amount of space.

Lack of Consultation

As usual CPC failed to consult with the community prior to making its decision. Instead of addressing the needs of the residents, the post office has simply issued press releases which reaffirm its arbitrary decision.

You Can Join the Struggle

Let Action-Gardien know you support them. Let CPC know you disagree with cutting services to the public. Sign the letter from Action-Gardien. You can get it from your union local or go to CUPW’s website www.cupw-sttp.org or www.publicpostoffice.ca.

A “Modern Post Office” should not mean closures and cutbacks. A “Modern Post Office” should improve and expand services to the public.