Canada Post workers in Timmins vow to fight super mailboxes

Postal workers in Timmins are vowing to fight plans to replace letter carriers with super mailboxes next year.

Canada Post said it aims to eliminate all home mail delivery across the country by 2019. Timmins is the firstcityin northeastern Ontario to make the switch.

• Timmins first city in northeastern Ontario to lose door-to-door delivery

John Cameron, the president of Canadian Union of Postal Workers local 624, said he hopes the decision can be reversed with the help of upset citizens.

"You know, we're going to hit the ground running and engage with the community and try to get the community and allies to rally behind us," saidCameron, whohas been apostal worker in Timmins for 10 years.

Job losses expected

Canada Post has said it will use retirements and attrition to reduce its workforce as it moves to eliminate home delivery across the country

But planto end door-to-door servicefor about 10,000 addresses in Timmins will mean job losses for young employees, Cameron said.

"Canada Post is saying they want to achieve this through attrition slash retirement, but with a younger core group of letter carriers locally, we're deeply concerned with the statement," he said of the 59 CUPW members he represents.

The New Democrats, including Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus, are promising to make postal service cuts an issue in the upcoming federal election.