Canada Post, carriers settle over flyers
Union says pamphlet’s reference to Liberal party was misleading
Canada Post has reached a compromise with five Saskatoon letter carriers who refused to deliver a flyer containing a graphic abortion image and a political message the workers’ union called misleading.
“I was happy to see a resolution. I support our members who have legitimate concerns,” said Julee Sanderson, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers ( CUPW) Local 824.
Several letter carriers refused Thursday to deliver the flyer produced by the Canadian Centre for Bio- Ethical Reform. Sanderson said the carriers took the action because, among other reasons, they were offended by the graphic nature of the abortion images and the “false advertising.”
The flyer was in an envelope that read “Important election information.” It claimed voting for Liberal leader Justin Trudeau was a “vote for this,” referring to the abortion image.
When the letter carriers declined, Sanderson drove to the Saskatoon depot where the workers and management were gathered. The group reached a compromise, she said.
Another postal worker agreed to deliver some of the flyers in exchange for one of the objectors taking part of their route.
( Canada Post does) not have the legal right to refuse delivery of a mail item because we or other people object to content.
In another case, the letter carrier was allowed to post a warning sign at the group mailbox of a seniors residence. Another carrier was a casual staff member and was allowed to not show up for her shift. Other compromises were found in all cases, and no discipline has been taken against the workers.
Sanderson said Canada Post “needs to be a better judge” in the future, screening out misleading and objectionable content.
She said Canada Post agreed to the compromises, even though officials worried it could set a precedent.
Canada Post spokesman Phil Legault said in a written statement the corporation and its employees “do not have the legal right to refuse delivery of a mail item because we or other people object to its content. Anyone who has concerns about the content should either contact the publisher or dispose of it.”