Social assistance cheque depots "totally unnecessary": postal union

THUNDER BAY – The union representing postal workers says misinformation over its work action is resulting in inconvenience for recipients of social assistance.

On advice from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board rented the Coliseum Building on the CLE Grounds to dispense some 1,200 social assistance cheques between Tuesday and Thursday.

DSSAB CAO Bill Bradica said although 58 per cent of recipients receive cheques by direct bank deposit, his organization wanted to be sure any Canada Post employee labour action wouldn’t disrupt payment for others.

“We’re at the point where we don’t want to play chicken with people’s cheques, wondering whether the strike is going to happen,” said DSSAB CAO Bill Bradica.

“If it happened at midnight and we sent them out today, there would be a possibility people wouldn’t get their cheques.”

The ministry has independently rented space on the CLE grounds to provide disability cheques.

Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 640 president Wendy Johnston said CUPW gave 72-hour notice that its members would cease working overtime but at no point did the union suggest there could be a work stoppage. 

“It’s a totally unnecessary action,” Johnston said.

“It’s unfortunate the letter carriers will be out on the street tomorrow delivering, walking by those same houses that should have been delivered. It’s a huge struggle for these people to get to the CLE. It’s not very convenient. It’s not fair. It’s not right.”