Postal workers raise awareness about proposed closure

Canadian Union of Postal Workers members hit Perron Street on Thursday to raise awareness of the proposed closure of the downtown post office.

Leaflets were being handed out to businesses and passersby. There’s about one week left in the public consultation period for people to send Canada Post their opinions on the proposed closure.

“People are not happy,” said Steve Cowtan, a union member and chief steward of letter carriers in Edmonton. He said he had just spoken to one man who said he’s been coming to that post office location for 35 years.

“People use the service,” he said.

There are a few differences between a Canada Post employee-manned post office and the outlets in big box stores, Cowtan said.

“Education and training,” he said, noting there is a difference in wages as well. “The people here, it’s a career for them.”

Larry Dionne, the president of the union local, was out and about on Thursday morning, letting people know about the proposed closure.

“It’s the only full service post office in St. Albert,” he said. He added that businesses or politicians looking to send unaddressed ad mail would likely have to take those pieces to an Edmonton office now.

Other services like student loan applications, which the Perron Street post office would accept, aren’t accepted at the outlets either, he said.

He pointed to the number of vacant buildings in downtown, noting the post office helps attract people downtown.

Dionne said he’s also heard lots of people concerned for the seniors who live downtown who will have to get their mail services elsewhere.

“People are upset,” he said, adding he’s had snowbirds calling from the U.S. after hearing about the proposed closure.

While time is running out for the public consultation period before Canada Post makes a decision, Dionne said the union still hopes to host a forum for politicians and the public and Canada Post about the proposal.

The retail postings are sought after jobs, he said, often going to former letter carriers who have become injured or disabled after years walking their routes.

“The retail jobs are kind of the best jobs,” he said.

The workers at the St. Albert Perron Street office will probably be moved to a different location he said, speculating they could go to a new facility being opened in Edmonton.

The union has approached local politicians at all levels about the issue, he said. Last week both St. Albert city council and the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce decided to send letters in support of keeping the location open.

Canada Post gave notice in late February that the closure of the Perron Street post office is being contemplated. There are four other postal outlets relatively close by in businesses like London Drugs and Shoppers Drug Mart.

After the public consultation period, Canada Post will decide whether it will keep the office open. If there is to be a closure, 30 days notice will be given. People or businesses with post office boxes at the location will either have to head to the postal depot in Campbell Park or change their address to use a box at one of the other nearby postal outlets.

When the closure proposal was announced, a Canada Post spokesperson said at the time that the organization is always looking for ways to ensure the service is operating in the most efficient way possible.