Re: Service problems in Winnipeg will be rolled out in other communities if government does not take measures

I am writing to raise concrns about mail delivery problems that have occurred in Winnipeg as Canada Post has rolled out its modernization program, introducing new mail sequencing equipment and a new delivery method.

Media reports indicate that Liberal MP Anita Neville has been inundated with complaints about late and missing mail deliveries ever since the corporation started introducing the new system. For example, residents at the Shaftesbury Park Seniors Residence complained after they went three days without getting mail.

Letter carriers have also had problems with the new work method. Some of our members have been forced to work overtime and others have been delivering in the dark, which can be very dangerous.

Winnipeg is the first location where Canada Post has introduced the new machines and work method and we think it should be the last until the corporation has sorted out some of its many problems.

CUPW has been trying to get Canada Post to use Winnipeg as a test site for its modernization program for three years. We want the corporation to identify what works, what does not work and to systematically solve problems in this location before proceeding any further. We also want management to respect its contractual obligation to minimize adverse effects on employees when introducing new technology. To date, the corporation has refused.rg   

We would like you to encourage the corporation to solve its mail delivery problems in Winnipeg before introducing its modernization prograll1 in other locations. People in towns, cities and villages across the country should not be forced to endure what the people of
Winnipeg are enduring.

The union understands that you do not run Canada Post. We know that Canada Post is an independent Crown corporation that makes its own decisions about day-to-day operations. However, the government is responsible for giving our public post office broad policy direction and making sure this direction is followed.

The problem is that government directions are not being followed. Canada Post is failing to live up to government policy expectations for our post office, as outlined in the Canadian Postal Service Charter. Under the Charter, "Canada Post will deliver letters, parcels and publications five days a week (except for statutory holidays) to every Canadian address, except in remote areas where less frequent service may be necessary due to limited access to the community."

Canada Post has clearly failed to do this in Winnipeg and it will fail to provide five-day delivery in other locations if modernization proceeds in an unchecked manner. CUPW hopes you take Charter expectations such as five-day delivery seriously. We would urge you to ensure that Canada Post lives up to expectations by taking reasonable steps such as testing the new machines and work method in Winnipeg before proceeding in other
locations.

Thank you very much for your attention to tins matter.