Mail in Trinidad and Tobago Remains Undelivered - at least in San Fernando

Twenty days ago, I wrote about strike by postal workers in Trinidad and Tobago being over - but having had no mail delivered since then, I decided to stop by the Post Office in San Fernando, Trinidad and see whether I had any mail. What I saw was... mail stacked to the ceiling, as well as across the floor (2nd picture below).

I suppose the 'industrial action', a Trinbagonian colloquialism for a strike, is still in effect. The employees there were helpful enough, going in the back and checking to see if I had any mail. I have a sneaking suspicion that I did have mail, since the woman in the back called out, "Is his name Rampersad?". There's a hint and a half that I did have mail, but when dealing with people on strike there's little use in confrontation. The lady apparently in charge simply told me that I had no mail... so I mentioned I have been expecting a few packages, and that I thought that the 'industrial action' was over. I was told it was not, and I responded that in most countries that I know of, mail is somewhat important - but in Trinidad and Tobago it didn't seem like it was considered important. This got me some friendly smiles, so I leveraged them and mentioned that I was a writer and that I would write about it - as I am doing here. We chatted very little about the intrinsics of the strike itself.

I hopped in the pickup to run off to pay my TSTT bill, which I never received due to the strike, when I jumped back out to ask if I could take the pictures here. I was given permission as well as a few suggestions on how to set up the shots. I suppose that some people find writers useful...

When I got to TSTT, I made the comment to the cashier that TTPost hadn't delivered any bills, and so my mobile was set to receive only. His comment?

"Yeah. Everyone's getting hit."

It gets worse. Recent hikes in electricity and water rates throughout the country are supposed to be due any time soon - the word on the street is that the rates doubled, but no one that I know of has gotten a bill yet. It isn't difficult to think that the citizens who do not get their bills may be disconnected and have to pay reconnection fees - all because TTPost isn't delivering mail at this time.

Me? I truly have to wonder who should bear the cost of people's reconnection for phones, water and electricity - not to mention other things that come in the mail. An interruption of a few days is one thing - but we're heading toward 3 months at this point. So I decided to call TTPost at 868-800-POST (7678). The person I spoke with could barely be heard, and I said so - she then seemed to find the receiver through which to speak into.

I was told that my mail - without even offering my name or address - was at my branch and that it should be delivered. I didn't tell them I had visited, but rather I had called and that it was suggested that I call the main branch (who suggested this, however, was not a TTPost employee...). So I asked whether the 'industrial action' was still in effect - and was told that it was not in effect.

It seems that the hymn book may have more than one page... but the fact remains, I still have no mail. Prior to this strike, I had no problems getting mail. But now?

So if you're not getting your mail in Trinidad and Tobago, call 800-POST (7678) and ask them. I think I'll do it on a daily basis from now until I get my mail... I've got nothing to lose at this point.