Looming Canada Post lockout worries mail-reliant people in Nunavut

Many Nunavummiutstillrely on old-fashioned mail and are worried about how they will receiveessentialsin the absence of regular postal service.

Canada Post has given notice to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers that employees couldbe locked out as of Mondaybecause negotiations have failed to reach a contract.

Although the post office employees in Nunavut are represented by the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA) and will not be lockedout by Canada Post, a lockout means they won't be accepting or delivering mail.

• How a Canada Post lockout will affect you

However, CPAA workers say they aresupporting CUPW.

During a lockout, the post office in Iqaluit will be open and the workers will be coming to work.

Confusion about cheque delivery

CUPW and Canada Post have an agreement in place for the delivery of federal cheques, such as pension and Old Age Security, butmany people are still confused about the implication of a lockout.

"It will be very difficult," said Oonga Kilabuk.

"My pension is the only income coming to me right now."

CPAA also said all government cheques will be delivered during a lockout.

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Many small businesses are also worried about the effects of a work stoppage.

Rannva Simonsen, who runs a sealskin boutique, said she relies heavily onpostal services and sends at least one package to a customereach week through Canada Post.

"My first worry is if I can deliver to my customers the items that they ordered," she said.