City of Charlottetown prepares for possible postal service disruption

The City of Charlottetown is preparing for a looming Canada Post labour disruption, identifying alternative pick-up and delivery methods for important transactions with residents and businesses.

• Canada Post impasse looming, but no strike or lockout yet

• Canada Post work stoppage a concern for Islanders with disabilities

Postal workers have voted in favour of a strike, but the union remains in negotiations and neither it nor management has given the required 72 hours notice of any job action putting the timeline for a work stoppage on Thursday at the earliest.

"The city wants to be proactive in the event there is a disruption in mail service," said Alicia Packwood, who handles communications for the city.

"Each department has a plan in place and in the case of a service disruption, we will put those plans into action."

For instance, those who have building permits approved by the city's planning department can pick up their permits at city hall, or someone will hand-deliver the permits, Packwood said.

Courier service

"Where necessary, we will also be using courier service," she added. "So this is kind of a similar scenario that be used for all departments."

Part of the plan is encouraging people to pay through their bank or online, either adding the city as a vendor through their online banking, orusing a form on the city's website to pay water and sewer bills. There's more information on how to do this on the city's website.

If the city owes you money, you can register onlinefor direct deposit. Invoices can also be dropped off at City Hall on Queen Street if the PO number is attached to the invoice, according to the city.

The city's finance department is also allowing customers to pay by credit card over the phone.

"Our main goal is to keep the service level there for our customers," Packwood said.

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