Letters to Santa are still being accepted by CUPW members on strike outside Canada Post locations across the region. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

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‘We make sure they get a response:’ Nanaimo postal workers ensuring Santa gets his letters

Dec 9, 2024 | 3:44 PM

NANAIMO — Those looking to sneak in a last-minute wish list to Santa this holiday season can still do so, regardless of whether an ongoing mail strike continues or not.

Members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers say while they’re on strike from their Canada Post duties as a result of an ongoing contract dispute, they remain on the job for Santa and his mission later this month.

CUPW Local 786 member, and local postal worker, Becki Sargeant said letters to Santa are being accepted at picket lines across the region, as well as at the main depot on East Wellington Rd. and Station A at 140 Terminal Ave. in Nanaimo.

“Every year, we get about 1,100 to 2,000 letters from kids in Nanaimo, Parksville and sometimes different cities as far as Vancouver and I’ve also helped with letters from Toronto by accident. We make sure they get a response, no matter what.”

Letters can also be dropped off at the main post office locations Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Ladysmith and Chemainus.

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Workers gather the letters and send them off regularly to the North Pole.

Responses typically come a few days to a week later.

Sargeant, who’s been with Canada Post for 20 years, said the work stoppage and a backlog of mail in the Canada Post system won’t affect CUPW’s direct connection to Santa’s workshop.

“If we don’t get back soon, before Christmas, we will deliver those Santa letters with our own vehicles on our own time, even if the strike is on or off, it’s all voluntary and not paid.”

Striking CUPW members held a demonstration at Diana Krall Plaza on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Negotiations are stalled between Canada Post and federal union representatives in Ottawa, with the two sides far apart on wages, benefits and weekend delivery schedules.

The strike began in mid-November.

— with files from Kyle Ireland

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