Canada Post - Sleeping postie 'singled out'

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Wait a minute Mr. Postman?

Instead of answering questions about why a letter carrier was asleep inside a mail delivery box Monday morning, Canada Post has returned the blame to sender — scolding the Toronto Sun for running Tuesday’s front page picture taken by neighbour Keith Gould.

The photo caught a letter carrier napping inside an open grey postal box.

“Instead of waiting to get appropriate information that would have produced, at the very least, a balanced story, a 20-year employee with an exemplary record was singled out as a joke for all his colleagues, friends and family to see,” said a letter to the editor from Jon Hamilton, general manager of communications for Canada Post.“I am writing to convey our incredible disappointment.”

Borrowing a phrase from the Beatles, “why don’t you check it and see one more time for me” why it was this postie was sawing logs inside a box Monday at Greenwood and Danforth Aves.?

Was this within the confines of appropriate on-the-job-conduct?

But in a second e-mail, Hamilton indicated there would no further investigation into the matter — and that envelope on this story was sealed.

“Thank you for your questions, but we’re not interested in supporting a further story beyond confirming he completed his route on time despite the setback at the relay box,” wrote Hamilton. “I would respectfully ask you to let it go. I’m all for supporting/defending the actions of the corporation at any time. But this is about a guy who didn’t deserve this type of treatment and certainly doesn’t deserve more.”

In a telephone interview, Canada Post spokesman Anick Losier said the carrier is a very good employee who she would “go to bat for any time” and that there were “personal” reasons why he was asleep.

“You had your fun,” she said.

Many readers agreed with that sentiment and expressed frustration in numerous comments and emails.

“I see the cell-phone vigilantes are on-duty again,” wrote Jim Caron. “The postie might have a valid excuse for his lapse of duty but will never get the public exposure the original photo gets.”

Adds Doug Thibault of Kingston: “Was he suppose to stand at attention beside the box? ... My God, there are far more important pictures you could have used.”

The unidentified carrier is said to be humiliated and devastated by the picture and so far has not taken up the standing offer to tell his side of his day dream.