ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — It’s that time of year when Canada Post reminds people to keep their property clear, but even if you don’t have door-to-door delivery you can keep lights on and steps and sidewalks shovelled to help out not only postal workers, but all delivery people.
Canadian Union of Postal Workers St. John’s local chief shop steward and past-president Craig Dyer was filling a community mailbox in Mount Pearl Wednesday as part of his daily routine.
It was a sunny and dry day, but a quick glance around the area suggested when the weather is not so great and workers are delivering past dark, it would likely be a dicey situation underfoot.
The particular set of community mailboxes, alongside a pathway to a small playground park, would be pretty dark on a winter’s eve.
Residents all over — not only the several thousand in metro who still have door-to-door delivery — can help by leaving their exterior lights on and keeping access points clear of ice and snow.
And not only for Canada Post, but for newspaper/flyer, food and oil delivery people, private courier companies, meter readers and visitors.
“It’s a huge problem,” Dyer said of the risks associated with delivering in the dark or in bad weather.
Despite the annual campaigns, the danger persists.
And while postal workers can refuse delivery if there’s too much snow and ice, Dyer said they really want to make sure you get that Christmas package.
Deliveries are expected to be extra demanding this year due to a massive increase in online shopping as more people picked up that habit when stores were shuttered, plus parcels between families and those who can’t or won’t travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the ongoing attempts to educate residents, Dyer doesn’t think the awareness hits home for people.
Canada Post in a news release Wednesday noted its delivery agents are expected to deliver record levels of parcels this holiday season.
“We know that areas of the Newfoundland and Labrador province have already experienced severe winter conditions. … With everyone’s help, we can help avoid an injury that can happen in just seconds,” Canada Post spokeswoman Valérie Chartrand said in the release.
The demand over the last several months, due to the pandemic, has been like Christmas all year round, Dyer said, adding Black Friday and Cyber Monday will compund the load.
“We wouldn’t want to see anyone get hurt bringing Christmas joy,” he said.
Due to the rush, Canada Post is bringing in some help, but that also creates some issues for the union, Dyer said.
He said Canada Post is hiring on a temporary basis 15 outside workers and 60 inside workers. There are concerns from the union about why those aren’t being made permanent jobs.
Dyer also said there is a health and safety issue for people working inside with a lack of ability to social distance.
Canada Post confirmed In Newfoundland and Labrador it is recruiting more than 90 temporary employees, 40 of them hired to support operations during this peak season.
Chartrand, in an email response, also said parcels are moving without delay and everything from equipment to weather is being monitored.
She said Canada Post is committed to following public health protocols for the safety of workers and customers, and that remains unchanged with the rush.
“We have implemented physical distancing in all our facilities, put in place visible markings, staggered start times and breaks where necessary, increased cleaning and availability of safety equipment and sanitizers and provided reusable face coverings, which we strongly recommend using in our facilities when physical distancing can't be maintained even for brief periods,” Chartrand said.
