Distribution of EI cheques in the event of a postal strike

If the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is forced to strike in its current round of negotiations with Canada Post, distribution points will be set up to provide EI cheques to claimants. CEIU has discussed these distribution centres with CUPW and they are not opposed to our members carrying out this work.

CUPW has agreed to distribute social assistance and government pension cheques if strike action becomes necessary. They have stated:

Our public post office is responsible for distributing government cheques that are a fundamental part of what we call the social safety net.  The CUPW does not want pensioners and people with low income to suffer in the event that the union strikes. Our dispute is with Canada Post, not the most vulnerable members of society.

CUPW stated position on the distribution of EI cheques is “…establishing distribution points to distribute EI cheques during a possible postal strike is fine, unless you hear differently from us at some point in the future.”

We wish CUPW well in its negotiations with Canada Post and, should strike action be required, we offer our support as well.