Post Canada: Postal service alarm bells ringing hollow

A Victoria postal union has raised the spectre of reduced postal services in the region, but the claims are unfounded, says Canada Post.

In a news release, Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 850 officials said Canada Post is planning to move postal services from the existing corporate retail outlet (CRO) at 1625 Fort St. to a retail postal outlet (RPO) in an adjacent building.

But Canada Post media relations manager Lillian Au said the claim is baseless.

“We have had no discussions concerning the closure of Depot 9 at 1625 Fort St.,” she said. “Our only discussions dealt with ways to further improve service in the area.”

Canada Post is considering a second retail outlet in the area.

This consideration has resulted from regular reviews of dealer networks and service demands, she said. Extended hours and Saturday openings are in high demand by post office customers.

Allen Pleasants, president of Local 850, said employees at an RPO are given only one day of training as opposed to two weeks if working in a CRO. He said that inadequately trained employees could reduce the service levels to Oak Bay customers.

But Au said staff at RPOs is given the same level of training as staff at CROs.

And while Pleasant contends that businesses will suffer as the RPO will not offer bulk mailing services or services in the French language, Au said that the decision to offer French language services is based on census figures.

“If the area is designated bilingual, then we will offer these services,” said Au. Such is not the case at the Fort Street depot, she added.