Local union, Canada Post spar over package delivery rules

Some Winnipeg letter carriers say they will continue hiding customers’ parcels to prevent theft, even if they face discipline by Canada Post.

The Winnipeg local of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers warned that ahead of the holiday season, a change in the Crown corporation’s delivery standards will put their packages at greater risk of theft.

Matthew Aitken, a Winnipeg letter carrier and union officer, said workers have been instructed to leave packages in the open, including in apartment hallways. Previously, they were required to conceal parcels behind planters, between doors or in other private locations.

“I know that myself and other carriers will continue to put stuff between a screen door and a door or in people’s mailboxes,” Aitken told the Free Press Friday. “We will hide stuff and keep people’s stuff safe. Even if it’s against the rules.”

Aitken said some carriers will continue leaving notices directing customers to pick up their parcels at a post office when they believe it’s appropriate, even if they risk discipline, adding that letter carriers develop relationships with residents and care about them.

He said the union wants customers to know they have options to ensure their packages aren’t unattended, particularly as Christmas approaches.

Senders can request that parcels be designated for pickup at a post office or specify that they not be safe-dropped. Recipients can receive a delivery notice and be able to collect their packages.

“We really want people to know this Christmas, and leading into Christmas, that if they want their gift to get to their loved one for sure … they can pick it up safely at the post office,” he said.

In a statement on Friday, a spokesperson for Canada Post said no changes have been made but employees were recently reminded about delivery procedures to ensure consistency for customers.

“When delivering a package, our delivery agents follow the instructions on the shipping label, which specify the delivery option that applies to the item. The majority of parcels delivered by Canada Post fit into the individual compartment or a dedicated parcel compartment on community mailboxes. Community mailboxes also provide secure, locked compartments for mail and parcels, offering residents consistent, reliable access at any time of day. Parcels that don’t fit or that require a signature are delivered to the door or held for pickup at a nearby post office.”

Canada Post said when a parcel is delivered to the door and is eligible to be left at the address, the worker will knock on the door or ring the doorbell. If no one answers, they will leave the item and take a photo confirming delivery.

Canada Post started offering photo confirmation for eligible items in September 2023. It lists delivery preferences on the Canada Post app so customers can choose a safe location outside their home, other than a front porch, such as the side door, garage, provided our letter carriers can access it safely.

Aitken called the policy reminder another step in the deterioration of the postal service, alongside the elimination of door-to-door mail delivery and the loss of post office locations.

“If the service is degraded, if it’s indistinguishable from other services, then how valuable is it at the end of the day?” he said.

Winnipeg is expected to lose all door-to-door mail delivery by the end of 2030, raising concerns about how large banks of community mailboxes will fit into older neighbourhoods and how far some residents will have to travel to collect their mail.

In April, Canada Post announced the first batch of affected neighbourhoods, including West Kildonan, Seven Oaks, Inkster Gardens, the Maples, William Whyte, Sargent Park and Weston, with postal codes beginning with R2P, R2R, R2V, R2W, R2X, R3E and R3H. The transition to community mailboxes in those areas is expected to wrap up early next year.

Canada Post has a Delivery program to provide functional and accessibility support for residents with mobility or physical limitations.

scott.billeck@winnipegfreepress.com