SANDRA M STANWAY
Brooks Bulletin
Postal workers in rural offices find themselves in a frustrating predicament as a new directive forbids them from delivering local mail, packages and even lifesaving drugs.
“It is absolutely the most frustrating thing we’ve gone through,” said Xan Moffatt-Toews, president of the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA) union for Alberta, NWT and Nunavut.
She said the current strike has been particularly restrictive. On Dec. 2 CPAA members received a directive from CUPW that they are not to accept any local mail such as the Brooks Bulletin.
A no-strike clause has been part of the CPAA since it was formed in 1902 and while they are negotiating their contract there is no intention to change that but their Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) co-workers have been picketing since Nov. 15 and CUPW is preventing CPAA members from participating in many things such as parades, citing safety concerns for when they’re in public except when they are “pushing mail,” Moffatt-Toews said.
She said if CPAA doesn’t observe the rules from CUPW they can be disciplined or terminated.
She said Ottawa doesn’t understand the unique challenges rural postal workers face and they often go unrecognized until they can’t work.
While the CUPW’s directive has halted many vital services especially in rural or isolated communities it also could be harming its residents who depend on the quick delivery of lifesaving drugs, who help prevent seniors from being scammed and who are checked on when they have not picked up mail as part of their routine.
“Those drugs come through the mail from the cities and we have to deliver them right away. We’re not allowed to do that anymore. I’m really praying and hoping they’re getting them through Loomis or DHL because those drugs are usually for people who are not able to drive to get them,” she said.
While the CUPW-operated Brooks Post Office is closed, others such as Bassano, Rosemary and Rolling Hills remain open but workers can’t do much and during the holiday season it can be difficult.
Some children are hoping their letters reach Santa so some libraries have stepped in to ensure they reach the North Pole.
“Some people are still doing them. I don’t think the kids should lose. They don’t have anything to do with the adult temper tantrum. I don’t think they should have a problem with this. It’s Christmas.”
Santa confirmed that he is getting Christmas emails.
“I’m getting lots of emails this year. Thank you to all you children. Keep in touch with me and Merry, Merry Christmas,” Santa said during Friday’s visit to the community.
In addition to picking up The Bulletin at the office, 124-3rd Street West, it can also be picked up in Brooks at Always $1, Red Basket, Safeway, Shell gas station, Shoppers Drug Mart, 7/11 downtown, Lori’s Corner Store and Home Hardware.
In Bassano it’s available at IDA and Emme’s Esso and at a convenience store in Duchess and Tilley and at the Rolling Hills Arena.
