Canada Post Corporation
It Can Deliver
Publisher: Campaign for Improved Postal Service, Canada
Year Published: 1986
Pages: 28pp Resource Type: Book
Cx Number: CX3286
Abstract:
Several unions collaborated in the production of this pamphlet, including the Canadian Labour Congress, the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, the Letter Carriers' Union, and the Union of Postal Communications Employees. It argues that the post office is in danger of being destroyed by federal government policies, with cutbacks in service and the contracting out of operations combining to undermine the ability of the Post Office to provide service to all Canadians. It notes that the establishment of financial self-sufficiency as the number one priority of Canada Post Corporation has meant a 100 per cent increase in postal rates for the public between January 1, 1982 and June 24, 1985. (Further increases have since been instituted.) The drive to achieve self-sufficiency at all costs has meant not only much higher prices but cutbacks in services. More households go without door-to-door delivery; most rural Canadians now go without six day delivery; post offices have been closed; mail is slower; local street letter boxes have been greatly reduced in number and pick-ups have been decreased, and second deliveries for businesses have been eliminated.
The post office unions suggest an alternative program which would make improved service the number one priority of Canada Post: All urban communities with 2,000 points of call should automatically receive five day door-to-door delivery. There should be no deadline for the achievement of financial self-sufficiency. Increasing revenues should replace reducing costs as the primary means of reducing the deficit. There should be an immediate moratorium on the closure of Post Offices and elimination of rural routes. The government should permit Canada Post to expand into package distribution services and electronic bulk mail. There must be adequate staffing to provide service. A major initiative should be taken to reduce work injuries and illnesses at the Post Office, which has one of the worst safety records in the country. Contracted services, such as sub post offices and cleaning should be contracted in.
The pamphlet calls on Canadians to lobby their members of Parliament and government officials to implement these changes.
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