The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) recently issued a statement welcoming Carla Qualtrough as the new federal minister of public service and procurement.
As part of a recent cabinet shuffle by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Qualtrough—a lawyer and former Paralympian—will replace retiring minister Judy Foote. She previously served as minister of sport and persons with disabilities, which has been filled by Kent Hehr, who left veterans affairs.
Qualtrough is now responsible for Canada Post, among other things—namely the plagued Phoenix pay system, which has mired thousands of federal public servants with payroll problems, but also military procurement. CUPW’s statement, however, warned Qualtrough that “a lot of work has to be done to ensure our postal public service thrives in the future.”
“The Liberal government has been in power for more than two years, yet we are still waiting if they will fulfill Mr. Trudeau’s promise to restore door to door deliver,” said Mike Palecek, National President of CUPW. “We hope Minister Qualtrough will follow through quickly. Canadians voted to keep their public service; it’s time to deliver.”
According to the CUPW statement, “lack of transparency, collaboration and accountability have been the longstanding culture at Canada Post. An attempt to eliminate door-to-door mail delivery based on false long-term financial projections, Post Office closures, large bonuses to senior management during periods of financial restraint, running roughshod over municipalities as the voice of local communities and a confrontational and toxic approach to labour relations, is the track record of outgoing management.”
NEW BOARD, NEW OUTLOOK
In light of the recent announcement regarding Canada Post CEO Deepak Chopra, who will resign next spring, and with several of Canada Post’s board of directors terms set to expire, the CUPW also noted it is time to put in place a forward-thinking management team that values public service and respects its workforce.”
“Canada Post’s new Board must have a mandate to not just maintain Canada Post, but expand the postal service as a successful entity for decades to come.”