Ottawa asked the federal labour board to send workers back on the job in December, when talks were at an impasse and a strike was disrupting holiday mail deliveries.
Article content
The provincial government says ministries, agencies and Crowns have implemented contingency plans to limit service disruptions should Canada Post workers go back on strike this week. Here are a few things to know about possible job action and how it could affect Saskatchewan residents …
*****
Workers at Canada Post may soon be heading back to the picket lines.
Advertisement 2
Article content
Ottawa asked the federal labour board to send workers back on the job in December, when talks were at an impasse and a strike was disrupting holiday mail deliveries. That reprieve expires on May 22, at which point a renewed labour dispute could again bring Canadians’ mail service to a halt.
Canada Post said any proposals will reflect the significant financial challenges that are putting the postal service’s future in jeopardy.
*****
A wide array of day-to-day services could be affected by postal workers job action, from Social Services payments to crop insurance to Crown bills and more.
* The province says the Ministry of Social Services is “building on the experience with the 2024 Canada Post service disruption.” While most clients receive benefit payments by direct deposit, the province is preparing a plan for those who receive benefit cheques in the mail.
* Those needing letters to submit to private insurance providers for special support, seniors’ drug plan or exception drug status can submit a request through the Saskatchewan Formulary online. Letters will be mailed after any service disruption is ended.
Afternoon Headlines
Article content
Advertisement 3
Article content
* Residents can use eHealthSask.ca for options to minimize delays on health cards, birth certificates, death certificates or marriage certificates.
* The province says Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. will work with customers to determine “alternate options for accessing information” typically delivered through Canada Post. Options could include faxing, emailing or delivering to a local SCIC office for pick-up.
* Even in the face of postal job action, businesses are expected to file and pay taxes to the Ministry of Finance on time. Tax clients are encouraged to use the Saskatchewan eTax Services online portal. Tax refunds and grant payments sent by direct deposit will not be delayed. Those who do not use direct deposit can call 1-800-667-6102 to set up direct deposit, delay the refund or grant payment, or request a courier delivery at their own cost.
* SaskEnergy, SaskPower, SaskTel and SGI are encouraging customers to sign up for online billing and notifications.
Advertisement 4
Article content
*****
The Industrial Inquiry Commission report on the labour dispute at Canada Post recommends phasing out daily door-to-door letter mail delivery for individual addresses, while daily delivery to businesses should be maintained.
It also says the moratoriums on rural post office closures and community mailbox conversions should be lifted.
“My recommendations are based on my conclusion that there is a way to preserve Canada Post as a vital national institution,” commissioner William Kaplan wrote in the 162-page report released Friday.
“I have designed them to respond to the present problem: to arrest and then reverse the growing financial losses by putting into place the necessary structural changes both within and outside the collective agreements.”
The report was called for after Ottawa asked the federal labour board to send postal employees back to work last year to end a strike that was disrupting holiday mail deliveries.
The report examined the state of Canada Post and its finances, in relation to reaching a labour deal.
Advertisement 5
Article content
Kaplan wrote that Canada Post faces an existential crisis and is effectively insolvent.
“Without thoughtful, measured, staged, but immediate changes, its fiscal situation will continue to deteriorate,” he wrote.
— With Canadian Press files
The Saskatoon Star Phoenix has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe.
With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark thestarphoenix.com and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
Article content