Local Canadian Union of Postal Workers members held another information session last Wednesday, June 12, in their bid to avoid downsizing of the Smithers post office.
If Canada Post has its way, Smithereens may be waiting in longer lines at the post office according to Marc Barralon, president of CUPW 828.
Canada Post said the move is a cost-cutting measure to recoup more than $50 million in losses, Barralon said.
However, Barralon said the Smithers post office is a busy place.
“Here [Smithers] we’re very viable,” Barralon said.
“Every day we’re mostly over our target.”
In fact, Barralon said, Canada Post, a crown corporation, posted a profit last year, thanks in large to the success of Purolator, a courier service owned by Canada Post.
The downsizing proposal includes reducing staff from four full and four part-time employees at the post office to 1.5 positions.
Downsizing, in addition to reducing staffing at the local post office could also see local mail being sent to Terrace for sorting.
Key to the Canada Post proposal is to find a local business willing to open a mail franchise.
Thus far, Barralon said, no business in Smithers has shown interest in taking advantage of the opportunity.
“If we can stop them from downsizing they have a big roadblock ahead,” Barralon said.
“They really can’t downsize a public post office without a franchise.”
