CUPW is part way through a series of local forums and events which are designed to get members and the public talking about what a truly modern public post office would look like.

The union’s forums have been organized to coincide with Canada Post’s regional forums on modernization. Management is using its forums to tellmembers what the corporation’s $1.9 billion modernization plans will mean for employees, customers and Canada Post.

If you believe the corporation’s public relations, the modern post will be safer, more efficient and environmentally-friendly. There will be brand new plants, vehicles and sorting equipment. Canada Post is also promoting modernization as a way to eliminate thousands of jobs and prepare for the deregulation of our public post office.

But should we accept the destruction of jobs and view deregulation as a given? Absolutely not. What should a truly modern post office look like? Who should decide? What will Canada Post’s modern post really mean for workers and the public? CUPW has been addressing these question and others at events in Halifax, Calgary, Montreal and Winnipeg. There is an upcoming forum in Ottawa at the end of March, Toronto in April and Vancouver and the lower mainland B.C. in May. A brief description of events to date follows:

A truly modern post would be more accountable

Halifax – On January 13th, the union held a public consultation which was attended by about 100 people from the community, about half of which were CUPW members.  Many who attended believe it is vitally important for the public to have its say in the future of our public post office. “We know Canada Post President Moya Greene and her managers listen very closely to what big business wants and they have made their modernization plans accordingly,” said one CUPW representative. “The Union however, believes all Canadians, as owners of Canada Post, must be consulted before big changes are made.”

One member of the community said that it really does matter to her that postal service is provided by unionized Canada Post employees, not private franchises.

Calgary –About 150 members of CUPW and the public attended a lively forum on January 22^nd to discuss the needs of Calgarians who the use the postal service. “We wanted to open the debate to the larger Canadian audience,” said one CUPW representative. “They’re the real shareholders of Canada Post and they believe the public post office should continue to include a universal, affordable and accessible service for all and provide good jobs throughout the country.”

Politicians, representatives from the Council of Canadians, the Parkland Institute and the Calgary and District Labour Council intervened to give their support to CUPW’s vision of public postal service.

Montreal –About 150 members of CUPW and the Montreal-based citizen’s group Action‑Gardien demonstrated outside Canada Post’s forum on modernization in Montreal on February 14^th. The protesters pointed out that Canada Post - and any truly modern post - should be more accountable when making fundamental changes to postal service. In particular, they believe that Canada Post did not properly consult with the community prior to making the decision to close the Pointe-Saint-Charles post office and reopen another office in an industrial park. The Pointe-Saint-Charles office is slated for closure on March 28^th. After the demonstration, CUPW national and regional representatives met with Action-Gardien to discuss ways to prevent the closure and expand postal services to this working class community.

Winnipeg – Members in Winnipeg had a special reason to come out to CUPW’s forum on the future of our public post office, which was held on March 3^rd. Canada Post has announced plans to build a new 250,000 square foot facility with brand new equipment. Several members of the union and public expressed their concern about the lack of consultation with regard to the new plant. Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada and Canadian Union of Public Employees highlighted their experience with the deregulation of public services, including job loss and overburdening.  About 50 people attended the Winnipeg forum.

Special guest Pam Donato, president of the Minneapolis local of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) talked about the experience of our sisters and brothers in the USA in fighting privatization and deregulation.

The night before about 75 CUPW members attended a special membership meeting to hear about the US letter carriers experience with mechanized sequencing.

The union will let you know what happens in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. Watch for bulletins and Post This blogs on modernization.