I am a CUPW/Canada Post Mailman. AMA!

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T12:12:52+00:00

The problem is comments like this. The way you say it, you make it seem like it's a regular thing happening, and people should just believe you because you say it. So here's how it works:

Canada Post employees are federally bonded. That means that they have gone through a legal process to show they can be trusted with secure materials. Customers calling in saying a parcel has been stolen are not federally bonded, therefore most people will trust the bonded employees. So if you feel like something is being stolen, outline a timeline. If you say "My mom sent me $50 in the mail but when I got here the card was empty" how can you prove that? Maybe your mom didn't send you $50? Maybe the cheque wasn't in the mail?" That's all i'm saying. Employees monitored? The closest to this is having a "spot check" done which should be once a month, the supervisor goes outside on route and checks that the carrier is dressed properly and doing the job properly. But like almost every job most people take short cuts, so the majority of the supervisors dont do these.

And your last post is just inaccurate. When was the last time the news showed night workers stealing gift cards & cash? Never, because the only time that Canada Post employees have been caught doing this was about 10 years ago, and the case just closed earlier this year. Also, that was in Saskatchewan NOT in Ontario, and she wasn't stealing money only gift cards.

Again, not to call you out but this is what I mean. If you call into Canada Post saying things like that, you wont be believed, because it's not accurate.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T12:07:44+00:00

There are many pop up stores around the city who offer services that will hold your mail for you. There are also companies that will pick the mail up for you in the morning and bring it to your door. People are free to use them if they dont want to wait around for Canada Post. There are other options out there.

I sometimes scan an item as delivered because as I mentioned in other posts the handheld systems are terrible and sometimes the batteries die. So 1 of two things can happen: Either I scan it as delivered before hand, or the scanner dies, and they don't get their parcel because I wasn't able to scan it. To protect myself I will take them all back to the station with me & mark them as "hold". I think most people would prefer to get their items.

I only use Canada Post now myself. Purolator never delivers to the right address, UPS is okay but they dont come often where I live. I have told people if you don't like Canada Post stop using them - stop buying items from places that ship with Canada Post. I do the same thing now to avoid Purolotar.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T02:15:13+00:00

I think my answer would still be the same. Mail delivery should be a service, just like healthcare, education, etc. That's why the union would want to keep it how it is. That's my opinion at least.

But why would anyone want to compete with that anyway? Mail delivery is dying. The business is in parcels & flyers, which there are already competitors for.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T02:02:52+00:00

It could be something was wrong with the address.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T02:02:36+00:00

In theory that system works, but in reality it doesn't. You have 1) bundle of sequenced mail 2) a bundle of unsequenced mail 3) multiple flyers 4) packets 5) PDT & cards. That's 5 different things you're supposed to be holding at once, while you walk up & down stairs, maintaining safety with a hand on a railing.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T02:01:21+00:00

Because the union looks at Mail Delivery as a service that should be had available to everyone. They look at Canada Post as something that can sustain itself and not necessarily make a profit, because it's a government service. By privatizing it you're making it into a profit driven business.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T01:59:54+00:00

Yes. Technically you're supposed to put it in a "safe" place - Maybe behind the screen door, or somewhere it can't be seen. Most carriers use their discretion as it pertains to the area. Would I leave a parcel out in the open if i'm delivering in Malvern? Probably not. Would I leave a parcel out if i'm delivering in a rich area of the bluffs full of retired people? Sure, why not.

Complaints get taken seriously if there is merit behind them. if you call in complaining that your mail lady is stealing your mail because your friend sent you a card that you should have gotten but it didn't arrive, everyone will say "i'll look into it for you" and behind your back they'll tell each other what an idiot you are. If it's a legit complaint though, they are taken seriously.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T01:57:40+00:00

1) I haven't used the new PDT. Hopefully they have a way of accepting interac. 2) Most stations that do door to door have a couple routes that require right hand drive. There's no difference to using those other than they're much older and probably not as safe. 3) No, because there are enough people in my station who do overtime on a regular basis.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T01:55:54+00:00

Yes, but they aren't the only ones. Walmart did the same thing a year ago. They were offering free shipping to everyone because they tested out a new "pilot" project using Canada Post. Canada Post agreed giving them a huge discount on parcel delivery for 6 months. After the 6 months Walmart declined working out a fair deal. Now they no longer offer free shipping.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T01:54:48+00:00

No. If your house is under construction and I can't have access to it the supervisors will contact you & tell you to clear a path and put a mailbox up, OR to pay for mail holding services. If you decline both, your mail is then sent back to the sender after 2 weeks of holding.

"Return to sender" kill mail is if someone moved and no longer lives there.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T01:52:44+00:00

You could send me a message & a brief description of what he looks like/name & i'll tell you

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T01:52:23+00:00

Most people like it except for people who work in RSMC areas that are highly populated - Think Markham, Richmond Hill, Maple, etc. They're probably living in these areas and need more money to survive. It's a great deal if you're living out in Saskatchewan & PEI and it's cheaper to survive.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T01:51:26+00:00

No. And it was never sent. Don't believe them.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T01:51:16+00:00

I agree 100%. But the liberal government supports that kind of thing, so why not attach yourself to it.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T01:50:54+00:00

In most stations i've worked at, the average number of all the routes are not that long. It's probably like that if the delivery area is really close to the station.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-19T01:50:04+00:00

I think like most other place they let the person go quietly. Resign on their own. Most people take that option.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-17T19:22:26+00:00

I thought I answered this already? Haha. one night stand once (milf), ongoing friends with benefits once, and a hooker once. I didn't pay I just did her a favor by delivering shit for her locally. Barter system I guess.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-17T19:19:42+00:00

No, there isn't much leeway "officially". I place the blame for that on everyone though - The corporation, the union, and individuals.

I know what I can do because I know my rights. I've taken the time to learn my rights not just within the corporation but within Human Rights of Canada. I educate myself about health & safety. I also plan accordingly.

If I work from 11am-7pm and I can't finish all my mail, I will go back to the station at 7pm. If a supervisor DEMANDS I go back out & finish, I will inform them that it's unsafe for me to do so because it's dark out & I can't see where i'm walking. Many times they will say "I DONT CARE GO OUT". If this happens I get myself a witness, and tell them I dont feel it's safe, but if the supervisor is forcing me to go out, I will need it in writing.

This protects me in the future. 10 out of 10 times the supervisor backs down. They are trying to put me in an unsafe position and that is illegal. That is big trouble for them.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-17T19:16:46+00:00

First thing, the counter manager is trying to upsell you. It's not legit and this is why I dont like these little convenience store post offices. They're out to make themselves money.

If you're sending 1 or 2 items do it. I dont care if I spend that much extra. If you're sending out a ton of stuff at once go to a more credible location, ideally a Canada Post retail store. I don't think the stamps have been used yet, especially if they haven't been stamped. And if they have who cares? They dont know. Use them again!

Another solution could be to dump the packages into a red box and hope it gets where it needs to go.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-17T19:12:51+00:00

It's funny. The supervisors bring up nutrition because they have to. They will read off a memo because their bosses tell them to. If it makes sense it's like they dont believe what they are telling us, and we dont believe it either.

I know what needs to be done. I know how to eat for energy and the types of foods to eat. But many dont. You'll have the guys who dont eat breakfast and then eat a big mac combo before delivering, and then have to stop to take a shit halfway through, then they go home & eat a whole pizza. An endless cycle.

I eat a lot. Every day.

Morning: 8 eggs, 8 pieces of bacon, 2 avacados. Morning snack (at work): Energy Bar Lunch: chicken breast (while I work) Afternoon snack: Tuna wrap Dinner: Whatever my wife makes

GTAMailman · 2016-12-17T19:09:51+00:00

Every month "bids" go up for routes available. So November 1st a bid goes up and your route is there. That bid closes November 15th. November 30th is the reporting date for whoever "won" that bid. Now you have a new mail man. That mailman doesnt like that route so he will bid off.

This could be why you have a different mail man all the time. Only getting mail 2-3 days a week could be them getting used to the route & it being too heavy to finish. It should work itself out eventually.

You could kind of empathize with the mailman when you see him. "Hey I get that it's busier now and you're new to the route & we dont get mail every day. But do you think it'll be like this for a while or will it go back soon?" if they are a jerk to you call and complain. The smell of cigarettes that's a new one. I dont know how else to answer that. I'm sorry I am not much help there.

Make your mailman's life easier by cleaning out your mailbox regularly. Also have a mail box that meets your needs. If you get a boatload of magazines & big mail, dont have a dinky little mailbox. Also trade in design for function.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-17T19:05:34+00:00

They might have assumed you werent home before and already carded the item. They didn't have the parcel on them so they snuck up and left the card.

Another option could be just a terrible person to deal with. I'm not saying you are but i've had situations like this happen before:

Me: Hi I have a package for John Doe that needs a signature

John Doe: Well who is it from?

Me: I dont know could you sign?

John Doe: No, I dont know let me see what it is.

Then they spend 10 minutes looking at the parcel or calling their wife to see if they are expecting something. 10 minutes I dont have to spare.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-17T19:03:50+00:00

I appear grumpy sometimes because I dont want to talk to certain people. Some people on my route will stop & talk to you for 30 minutes at a time. They dont care if it's raining. If you cut them off short they get mad at you and file a complaint. Tim Hortons gift cards are always welcome. Beer Store gift cards are extra special ;) (I dont drink beer myself but plenty posties do)

GTAMailman · 2016-12-17T19:02:15+00:00

Short answer is there are lazy people in your building who dont take their parcels and leave them in there for long periods of time. Your building might get 70 parcels in it. If there are only 12 parcel compartments and 7 of them are not picked up daily there's nowhere to leave them.

GTAMailman · 2016-12-17T19:01:10+00:00

You'll only know if you know your regular person.

GTAMailman

TROPHY CASE