Members of the CUPW union have been touring the country in an RV with hopes of stopping cuts to Canada Post.
They made their way through Timmins on Tuesday, where they were joined by Charlie Angus, MP for Timmins-James Bay.
Angus has been outspoken in his opposition to the postal cuts.
Michael Palecek, national union rep for the CUPW (Canadian Union of Postal Workers), told media in attendance about the ground they've covered.
“We started in St. John's, Newfoundland. We've driven right across the country, from coast-to-coast all the way out to Victoria, BC. Now we've headed back and we're on our way to Toronto for the Labour Day parade,” said Palecek
Palecek and his team have been spreading the message of stern opposition to the Harper government's plans to make large scale cuts at Canada Post, including ending door-to-door delivery service.
“Everybody knows about the cuts to door-to-door delivery. This plan also has other points to it. It's not just about door-to-door. It's also about the downsizing of post offices in rural communities. It's about privatizing retail outlets. It's about jacking up the price of stamps, and making this Crown corporation and the services it provides less accessible to everybody across the country,” he said.
Palecek feels the cross-country trek has been a resounding success.
“We've had an outpouring of support everywhere. Thousands of people have come out to sign the petition we have, demanding an end to these cuts. We have nearly 600 municipalities that have come out and opposed these cuts. We're seeing that the country is opposed to the plan that the Conservative government has put forward for Canada Post,” said Palecek.
The CUPW hopes it turns into a major election issue.
Palecek outlined what he knows thus far about each party's position.
“The Liberal party has said if they're elected, they'll bring in a moratorium on future cuts, and have a study done on it to decide what they're going to do. The NDP has said if they're elected, they'll undo the cuts entirely and restore door-to-door delivery to those who have lost it. The Conservatives have made it fairly clear they support this plan. If there was any doubt of that, it was answered a week and a half ago when this government quietly announced they were extending the CEO of Canada Post's contract, Mr. Deepak Chopra, for five years at half a million dollars a year,” he said.
“Canadians are being given a very clear choice. On October 19, they can vote to stop this plan by voting to change this government,” said Palecek
Angus agreed with that sentiment.
“This is an election issue. We have a Conservative Party running in Timmins-James Bay, telling residents of Timmins 'Guess what? Vote for us, and we're going to get rid of home delivery.' New Democrats are saying 'This is an important service. We can improve the service, we can make it more viable in the long term.' It's a service that people in Timmins have made very clear, they want this service,” said Angus.
He said he has received countless emails and photos of community mailboxes being buried in snow during the winter months, and it makes a simple task turn into a major chore for senior citizens especially.
“You're going to be pretty upset going out in January and having to dig around your post office box, because I've seen it in other parts of the riding” said Angus.
Palecek says Canada Post is still a very profitable corporation, raking in $200 million dollars in profits last year.
Previous TimminsToday coverage of this issue:
Theft, snow big concerns as door-to-door delivery ends
Canada Post announces the end of door-to-door delivery
(PHOTO: Peter Whitaker, CUPW retiree, is pictured with MP Charlie Angus, and CUPW union rep Mike Palecek on Tuesday. Andrew Autio for TimminsToday)
