After weeks of problems with deliveries, injuries and forced overtime, Winnipeg letter carriers walked off the job on November 22.

Canada Post has been forcing Winnipeg letter carriers to adopt a new delivery method. Letter carriers are reporting more strains and injuries as well as being forced to stay out for hours past their scheduled end times. Anita Neville (Liberal MP for Winnipeg South Centre) recently raised the concerns of her constituents about the new system. Ms. Neville calls the transformation “an unmitigated disaster.”

The New Delivery Method is Unsafe

The new method of delivering mail requires letter carriers to hold a bundle of machine sequenced mail in their hand. Manually sorted letter and oversize mail is carried resting on the forearm, while unaddressed admail, packets and personal contact items will be carried in a dual satchel.

We believe that the new delivery method is dangerous and will increase injury rates, particularly in harsh weather. Our injury rates are already far too high. There have been numerous occasions where the union has demanded that Canada Post fix its problems in Winnipeg before imposing postal transformation on the rest of the country.

Too fast, too soon

But Canada Post went ahead and implemented the new method before addressing and solving the problems. It appears that Canada Post did not think through their “plan” before implementation. This is another example of the lack of respect and the kind of ruthless thinking that puts machines before people and the financial 'bottom line' ahead of workers’ health and safety. While ignoring the problems, Canada Post has indicated that they plan to “forge” ahead into other locations with their piece meal project.

Our Demand Is Clear – “No letter carrier shall be required to carry more than one bundle of mail”

We must send a message to Canada Post that it is imperative that these issues must be resolved at the bargaining table. We demand that Canada Post respect your health and safety.