News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) – The provincial government has made plans to minimize the impact of a work stoppage at Canada Post.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers notified Canada Post management that it (the union) would be in a legal strike position as of midnight, Thursday, June 2, if a negotiated collective agreement has not been reached. In April, the union, which represents 54,000 postal workers, voted 94.5 per cent in favour of strike action.

"Departments have made contingency plans in the event of a disruption of mail services to ensure that the impact to essential mail is minimized," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claude Williams. "Special arrangements have been made for the delivery of important services such as social assistance and child support payments."

Government is also encouraging clients and vendors to be proactive by setting up direct deposit accounts.

Residents can find up-to-date information on affected services and alternative delivery methods on the Government of New Brunswick website. Residents may also call Service New Brunswick TeleServices at 1-888-762-8600 for more information. Vendors and suppliers may contact the New Brunswick Internal Services Agency at 1-888-487-5050 for more information.

"We are asking the public to be mindful that all incoming mail will stop during a work stoppage and to consider alternative means of communication," said Williams. "For example, those doing business with the provincial government will be asked to send invoices electronically and to sign up for direct deposit to ensure timely payment. In other situations, payments or documents may be dropped off or picked up at regional government offices or at Service New Brunswick locations."

The Department of Supply and Services, which handles the distribution of mail within the provincial government, will maintain its regional interoffice bag service to its nine regions.

Other departments have and will be notifying those impacted through the media as well as directly. Information will be posted on the Government of New Brunswick website.

New Brunswickers who receive monthly social assistance received their next cheque (dated Wednesday, June 1) through regular mail delivery last week. Recipients and suppliers who receive daily payments and submit invoices to the Department of Social Development by mail will need to visit their regional office.

In anticipation of a work stoppage, the Office of Human Resources mailed pension cheques earlier than normal along with a notice of further instructions for future cheques.

New Brunswickers who receive support through the Training and Skills Development Program from the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour will receive their next cheque (dated Wednesday, June 1) even if there is a work stoppage. Clients will pick up their cheques at the regional offices closest to the address provided on their case file. If clients are unsure which office is closest to their home location, they may call 1-800-434-7070 or consult the Government of New Brunswick website.

Clients who receive family support payments through the Department of Justice and Consumer Affairs are strongly urged to sign up for direct deposit. Clients can verify a payment by checking the Infoline (1-888-488-3767) or make alternate arrangements by contacting the central Payment Unit at 1-506-444-4131. Clients who usually make support payments by mail are encouraged to use online or telephone banking; or, to make payments in person at their local Service New Brunswick location.  

The Department of Public Safety has a number of plans in place to ensure services continue to be offered to the public by using courier services, Service New Brunswick offices, online payments processing and direct contact.

The New Brunswick Internal Services Agency is advising the province's 300,000 vendors and suppliers to sign up for direct deposit to avoid delays in the delivery of payments.

A complete list of affected services and alternate arrangements is online or available through Service New Brunswick TeleServices at 1-888-762-8600.

Meanwhile, the New Brunswick Securities Commission will be implementing measures to ensure it can continue to communicate with investors and market participants.

The commission will update its website with information about postal service-related matters as necessary. For further information, contact the commission at 1-866-933-2222 or by e-mail, [email protected].

LINKS:

●    Government of New Brunswick: www.gnb.ca

●    Service New Brunswick: www.snb.ca

●    New Brunswick Securities Commission: www.nbsc-cvmnb.ca