A local representative of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is citing safety concerns as an issue to be raised when a conciliator sits down to help the union and Canada Post reach a new contract.
Specifically, CUPW Local 8-12 president Tami Brushey worries a so-called "modern post" system will lead to higher injury rates if introduced to the icebound sidewalks of Prince George.
The idea is to drop off mail to letter carriers at points along their walk after it's sorted by machine but because not all the mail can be sorted that way, Brushey said carriers will be working off two bundles of mail as they do their routes.
"And when you're walking on ice and on snow trying to carry a bundle of mail in the crook of your elbow and one in your hand and flyers and small parcels in your satchel, it's dangerous work and they've made it so the carriers will be out on the street for longer hours every day," Brushey said.
Injuries went "sky high" when the process was introduced in Winnipeg last year, Brushey claimed, "and we've got input we'd like to give but they're not listening."
Some changes have already been introduced in Prince George, said Brushey, such as replacing the right-hand drive vehicles on the mobile routes with left-side drives which force workers to step out onto the street when making a stop.
Since this past summer, all local mail posted on Fridays is now being sorted in Vancouver over the weekend. It's supposed to be shipped back up for delivery to Prince George and area addresses by Monday, but Brushey claimed test mailings have shown delays of up to a week. A letter mailed by The Citizen as a test when the process was first launched arrived on time.
Talks began in October and the federal government appointed a conciliator, Jacques Lessard, on Feb. 1, a day after the previous contract ran out. A conciliator makes non-binding suggestions for reaching agreements whereas an arbitrator has the power to make binding decisions after hearing proposals from the opposing sides.
According to the union, Canada Post is also seeking replacement of postal workers' sick leave with a short-term disability plan and, for new hires, to replace the current defined benefit pension plan with a defined contribution version.
A Canada Post representative was not immediately available for comment on Saturday, but the Crown corporation did say in a statement that Lessard's appointment is a good step.
"Canada Post has gone through the conciliation process with Mr. Lessard and CUPW in the past and reached successful outcomes," Canada Post said.
