Cheques can be picked up if Canada Post goes on strike

The city has made arrangements for people receiving Ontario Works benefits to still get paid in the event of a Canada Post strike next week.

Although cheques are often sent by mail, the city’s social services department is going to arrange for people to pick up their money in person if postal workers go on strike.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) issued a 72-hour notice of a potential strike Thursday. Negotiations are continuing through the weekend.

On Friday, the social services department sent out a release detailing its plan, should there be a strike Monday.

“We’re really trying to make sure there’s no risk of people not being paid,” said Dorothy Olver, the Ontario Works program manager for the city.

Here’s what the office has planned:

As of Friday, cheques for benefits such as those to pay for transportation to medical appointments will not be mailed. Instead, they will be available for pick-up at the Ontario Works office at 178 Charlotte St. between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Staff will communicate changes in entitlement by phone, and encourage clients to call the local office if they are waiting on a decision.

If you receive money through direct deposit, funds will be deposited to your account as usual. Paper monthly statements will be mailed. Please note that as of Sept. 1, you may use your health card instead of the paper drug card for drug benefits.

If on Monday the labour dispute has been resolved, the monthly cheques will be mailed as usual. If the situation is still uncertain, the cheques will not be mailed and pick up arrangements will be made.

Anyone picking up cheques at the office will require proper ID such as a birth certificate, health card or driver’s licence.

Clients are still required to submit their monthly income reporting statement if requested by the case manager.