CUPW Save Canada Post Caravan rides into Nelson Monday
Postal workers from across the country refuse to take recent cutback decisions by Canada Post sitting down.
Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) National President, Mike Palecek and the Save Canada Post Caravan is expected to roll into Nelson Monday for a rally outside City Hall.
“We want people to know something can be done to stop the governments’ cuts to Canada’s public postal service,” said Nelson president Brenda Muscoby-Yanke.
Palecek has been travelling in the Union’s massive RV on a coast-to-coast journey to gain public support and mobilize postal workers to oppose the Conservative-supported cuts to Canada’s public postal service.
The Caravan was in Cranbrook Sunday and continues in Penticton and Kelowna, Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
The rally is expected to begin at 2 p.m. in the City Hall Courtyard.
Speakers include CUPW National President Palecek, NDP Opposition Critic for Canada Post, Peter Julian, local NDP Kootenay/Columbia candidate Wayne Stetski, Senior’s advocate Joan Richardt and Local CUPW President Muscoby-Yanke.
Muscoby-Yanke said one of the topics would be the recent survey sent out by Canada Post.
Muscoby-Yanke said a local citizen doesn’t believe the survey is reaching all citizens of Nelson.
“(This person) lives in an apartment where only one letter was delivered and there are many families or single citizens who live in his building and they were not given this opportunity to complete the survey,” Muscoby-Yanke explained.
“He has been into the local management here in Nelson asking for letters for his neighbor and been unsuccessful, realizing these letters have a deadline of four weeks and being two weeks have passed.
“His concern is Canada Post is not getting the input from all of the citizens of Nelson, and does Canada Post care that their survey will not show a true picture.”
Canada Post is the gradual phasing out of door-to-door delivery services in urban areas in favour of centralized community mailboxes, including Nelson.
Local CUPW workers received their layoff notices in July.
“Bordering on hopelessness,” said Muscoby-Yanke when asked the mood of the membership.
“A lot of the members feel there is very little hope. Some are angry with Canada Post because these changes affect their jobs and livelihood of their families.”