Canada Post profits amid service cuts and job losses

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers protested outside Canada Post headquarters Sunday at noon as the corporation celebrated its 24th anniversary with job losses and closures.

Postal workers responded to Canada Post’s “let them eat cake” attitude by cutting a cake with a special anniversary message: People Before Profits.

“We want Canada Post to say no to closures, yes to first-rate service, and yes to employees who need well-paying and stable jobs,” said Deborah Bourque, President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers in her speech.

Speakers from the Bloc Quebecois, the NDP, the Canadian Labour Congress, the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association and the Union of Postal Communications Employees (Public Service Alliance of Canada) spoke out against post office and plant closures during the hour long event.

Despite close to USD1 billion net profit over the past decade, Canada Post has decided to close a plant in Quebec City, eliminating over 300 jobs, as part of a review of services across Canada.

“It makes no sense, no sense at all, to put Quebec City mail on trucks, drive it to the west end of Montreal, process it and then put it back on trucks to drive it back to Quebec City,” said Bourque.

Furthermore, Canada Post has permanently or “temporarily” closed approximately 50 rural post offices since 2001 even though there is a moratorium on post office closures in rural and small towns.

“We all deserve better after a decade of profits,” said Bourque. “Shame on you, Canada Post! It is time to give communities and postal workers a share of the cake too!”