Province repeatedly ignored striking postal workers’ offer to deliver social assistance cheques: union

The union representing Canada Post workers got the cold shoulder from the new Liberal government of Premier Susan Holt when it repeatedly offered to deliver social assistance cheques during the ongoing strike, according to a local union official.

The union reached out to newly-appointed Minister of Social Development Cindy Miles and other government officials last week, asking them to change course, according to Line Doucet, Moncton local president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

“We sent multiple emails to the Minister [of Social Development] in Fredericton to try to say that this is deplorable, that you’re making these people go pick up their cheques while we volunteered to go deliver them, and they didn’t change it,” she said. There was no response from the Minister, according to Doucet.

The NB Media Co-op has reached out to the Department of Social Development for comment.

The decision to decline CUPW’s offer originally came last month, when the Progressive Conservatives were still in power under Blaine Higgs, Doucet said.

“There were other Ministers that were also called and approached and told, ‘You still have time to change this because it’s the other government that made the decision, but it’s going to make your government look bad.'”

Progressive Conservative House Leader Margaret Johnson raised the issue during Question Period in the Legislative Assembly on Friday, saying that some people in her riding may have to travel upwards of 70 km for their cheques. “We’re talking about serving vulnerable populations who struggle with transportation and financial insecurity,” she said.

Speaking in the legislature, the Minister acknowledged the problem. “I will go back to our department,” she said. She indicated that conversations had already taken place internally over the matter but didn’t explain why CUPW’s offer was turned down. “We will see what more we can do.”

Doucet, the union president, said it’s ironic to see the Tory opposition raising the issue because the previous Higgs government initially rejected the offer. In response to a query from the NB Media Co-op, Johnson noted the fraught relationship between organized labour and her party under the former Higgs government.

“As for this being a decision the PC government made in the past, the union relationship with the previous government was contentious so I would not expect any endorsements,” Johnson said in an email. “I am pleased that CUPW has offered to facilitate delivery. It shows an understanding of the imperative nature of these deliveries and I thank them for their offer.”

The union negotiated agreements with Canada Post to deliver “socio-economic cheques” such as old age pension prior to the work stoppage, according to CUPW. Striking union members previously delivered federal benefit cheques on Nov. 20.

A spokesperson for Canada Post provided a brief statement Friday confirming that the postal operator and the union have “agreed to continue the delivery of socio-economic cheques during a labour disruption, for eligible and participating government organizations.”

Next month’s cheques will be delivered on December 18-19, the statement added. “Canadians will receive their cheques the same way they normally receive their mail,” Canada Post said.

The provincial government issued a media release Wednesday saying that social assistance recipients who don’t have direct deposit arrangements could pick up their cheques during business hours on Thursday Nov. 28 and Friday Nov. 29 at various Social Development offices and certain other locations, such as the Brunswick Street Baptist Church in Fredericton.

“People are reminded to bring two pieces of identification to collect their payment,” the statement said. “Those who require alternate arrangements are encouraged to contact their case manager.”

Doucet noted that some people on social assistance may not have current identification, and that many don’t have a vehicle. The union is still willing to deliver outstanding cheques, she added. “Our carriers would gladly go and deliver those cheques so that people don’t suffer.”

Federal Minister confronted in Moncton

On Friday, postal workers in Moncton confronted local MP Ginette Petitpas-Taylor, who is the federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, and was attending a meeting nearby.

Video footage from the scene shows postal workers addressing Petitpas-Taylor outside the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on Université Ave.

They raised issues including the need for full-time work and benefits. “Our future cannot live on part-time jobs,” said one veteran postal worker in fiery comments to the Minister.

Petitpas-Taylor expressed sympathy with the postal workers, saying that she belonged to a union for 23 years. “I know the importance of unions, and the work you’re doing is important,” Petitpas-Taylor said.

“She listened to us,” Doucet said.

It remains to be seen whether that message will translate to a resolution for striking postal workers, who have been on the picket line since Nov. 15.

This article was first published on Friday, Nov. 29, at 4:40 p.m. It was updated at noon on Saturday, Nov. 30, to include a statement from Canada Post. It was updated again on Monday, Dec. 2 at 12:39 a.m. to include a comment from Margaret Johnson and more information from the union. 

David Gordon Koch is a journalist with the NB Media Co-op. This reporting has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada, administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Stations and Users (CACTUS).