Canada Post union gives final offer, sets strike deadline

The union representing Canada's postal workers dropped off an ultimatum Monday: it told Canada Post to accept its final offer, or face a strike Thursday at midnight.

CTV Edmonton: Susan Amerongen on Canada post

Canada Post employees could walk off the job this Thursday night over issues including wages and sick leave. This would mark the first Canada Post strike in more than a decade.

CTV Calgary: Elissa Carpenter on the strike

With a postal strike looming many people are wondering how they will be affected and, if they are up on technology, whether they will be affected at all. The union that represents Canada's postal employees filed a 72-hour strike notice on Monday.

CTV News Channel: Merella Fernandez on the deal

A CTV News correspondent says the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have dropped their wage demand in hopes they can reach an agreement sometime this week.

CTV Atlantic: Rick Grant on the possible strike

More than 4000 postal workers could be off the job by midnight Friday in Atlantic Canada.

CTV Montreal: Rob Lurie on possible strike

With postal carriers poised to go on strike at 11:59 p.m. Thursday night, what would that mean for people who rely on social assistance cheques?

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A man walks past Canada Post mail boxes in Ottawa, Monday, May 30, 2011. Canada Post's union announced they had given 72-hour strike notice. (Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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Canada Post workers soon won't have a job anyway as most businesses have converted to paying their bills via automatic bank deposit and sending their invoices to customers via email. The only thing I get in the mail now is junk mail and I can do without that!

Elizabeth Dixon, Pickering

Workers reject latest offer from Canada Post

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Canada Post union gives final offer, sets strike deadline

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Mon. May. 30 2011 10:04 PM ET

Canada Post's urban workers could go on strike late Thursday night if the Crown corporation declines to accept its latest offer, as seven months of heated negotiations between the two sides appears ready to come to a head.

On Monday, the president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Denis Lemelin, gave the required 72 hours notice that workers will walk off the job at one minute before midnight ET Thursday if a deal can't be reached.

Lemelin said the union is willing to continue talks right up to the strike deadline in order to finalize a new contract based on the terms of its final offer, which it submitted to Canada Post on Monday.

"After seven months of negotiations, Canada Post continues to demand major concessions, including unsafe work methods, a 22 per cent wage reduction for new hires and the elimination of a sick leave plan that members have had for over 40 years," Lemelin said in a news release.

"Canada Post's intransigence at the bargaining table has left the union with little choice but to accept unsafe and unfair conditions or strike. But we hope it won't come to that."

The union had previously reached an agreement with Canada Post that, in the event of a strike or lockout, workers will deliver government cheques, including Old Age Security and Child Benefit cheques, around June 20.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, Canada Post said the union has failed to consider issues the company is grappling with, including less mail to deliver.

"The latest counter offer from the union does nothing to address the significant challenges facing the company," Canada Post said.

Labour Minister Lisa Raitt urged the two sides to continue negotiating and expressed concern that a work stoppage would impact Canada's economic well-being.

"We are currently going through an economic recovery, which remains fragile," Raitt said in a statement.

Lemelin pointed out Monday that the two sides have been able to reach a last-minute agreement in past negotiations.

The union represents 48,000 full-time, part-time and temporary employees in its urban operations bargaining unit. The union's final offer contains several changes and amendments, including to its wage demands. It is proposing a wage increase of 3.3 per cent in the first year of the contract, followed by increases of 2.75 per cent in each of the contract's final three years.

Comments are now closed for this story

Mike
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I work for Canada Post now and I love my job, it's great.I paid $15,000 for a computer edumaction, that got me a $11 an hour job then I found a better one at $12 that is 10 times more stressfull. So if you don't like your job come work for us if you can handle it.

Big A
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Tony - please give your head a big shake !!!!!!If government employees had to change tomorrow into private industry jobs there would be double the number really needed. Unions were needed 50 years ago. after that you have all held the country at ransom for a raise.the best thing that could happen now is to give the postal service to UPS, Fedex and then sell purolator to private enterprise. Posties are nothing but overpaid laptops who can sort mail and take it by hand. Sorry posties but don't even start telling me how smart you have to be or how walking is bad for you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!makes me sick

mike
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let's see when they move on if the real sticking issue is safety or money. I will side with the union if their workplace is unsafe... I won't if what they want is more money. People do worse jobs than that, manual labor, cleaning garbage, and other things people don't want to do, and get paid less. Private sector, we get less and most of us don't have pensions. It's about time the dead wood gets cut and they get with the times.

stephen
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I had the 'pleasure' of helping out a rural mail carrier and felt disgusted every day I had to go to the post office. The Union mentality of getting indignant about everything and constantly threathening to 'work to rule' made me livid every day. If the postal workers worked hard, were efficient, accurate and on time with deliveries (as most non-union couriers and delivery companies are) then people might care about their grievances. As it sits, no one cares about incompetent, whiny people asking for more. Good luck finding a real job and lasting through the probation period.

Freeman
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CUPW picked the wrong time and era to strike. It will be long and bitter. Then Canada Post Crown Corporation will be privatized, as in sold off. It makes 100 million a year. The buyer won't hire any of the posties so CUPW people will be toast. Replaced by minimum wage people happy to finally have a job.

Lynn
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To the person who commented about how much better the US postal system is, I wish to make this comment:We spent two month down in Phoenix, Arizona. I wished to send a few greeting cards out. I visited three post offices to notice that the waiting lines were very long with only one clerk on duty! I asked a few patrons ahead how long they'd been waiting.....to which they responded "I count on at least 30 - 45 minutes". They do have machines to purchase stamps, but none for out of country postage. I visited a couple private parcel outlets and was told "we don't keep stamps for mail to Canada". I don't think many Canadians would be willing to wait in line as these people seem quite accustomed.

Lynn
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I DO WISH THE MEDIA WOULD REPORT MORE ACCURATELY!!!!1. I've worked as a postal clerk @ a local post office for 4 years.....my starting salary was $17.18/hr and am now earning $17.99/hr....so I don't know where the media quotes the average salary to be over $23/hr. 2. How many of you folks would get out of bed to be at work @ 6:30 am every morning for a shift that is 2 hrs to 3 hrs. (The union can over ride Canada's Labour Laws)3. There are several unions within Canada Post....CUPW is the letter carriers and others in offices....NOT your local workers @ your local post office.

pp
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When other companies go on strike, I'm afraid about my service getting worse but that won't be the case with Canada Post because it can't get worse.How does this affect people living in suburbs with community mailboxes and postal outlets in stores like Shoppers Drug Mart? I don't think they're unionized.

Reality Jack
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People need to research more on the reality of the postal situation before they come to lazy opinions. I'm always amazed at some of the assumptions and ignorance that surfaces on these posts. Wake up and realize that unions struggle to keep in balance the rights of the common worker, as opposed to the exclusive $$ interests of the corporate giant. We all complain about job loss in this country, and then when we have a system in place that can actually create good fair jobs, we're quick to cut down the unions behind them by calling them a bunch of greedy lazy complainers that should accept the corporate hammer. Funny how that works.

Belinda
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I AM A PROUD POSTAL WORKER THAT WORKS FOR CANADA POST. First off - this is not about a pay raise. Its about protecting our postal service. Expanding services for the public. Do you think that door to door delivery is a right.....NO...its a privilage that the union fought for, for the public. Second - I don't understand why people are so bitter against postal workers. Why the jealousy over wages. We make just a fraction of what a worker in Alberta would make. YES, we have great bennifits and a good pension but why shouldn't we protect those jobs for future generations. I hear people talk about the internet, Well, I ask those people to think back to when they were a child and how you felt when you went to your local post office. I remember. How do your children feel when they go to the post office. I work on the front line serving customers at the wicket. Kids love to come in and post a letter. The post office is a staple in ALL towns and communities. The logo is reconized everywhere. I will end with this - If you want Canada Post to shut down or go privite, be prepared to pay....you think that you are paying to much for a stamp or a parcel, think again.

Malina
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To all the POSTIES haters.....Really??? If you don't want Junk Mail, talk to your local business who pays CP to deliver them to you. Sorry, if your not a person who likes to receive birthday cards,invitations and perhaps even random cheques in the mail. Reading all these posts has left me sick to my stomach.........People are so rude.........Do you think the postie who might not make any bill payments next month because of this strike, needs to hear all this negativity... because you don't use cp or had a bad experence with them. Honestly, they are still human beings who are trying to make a living. I've always gave credit to letter carriers who are out there in -40 weather to make sure people received there gst cheque.. or had to deal with a dog attack because of some home owner "FORGOT" to lock up there pit bull. Get a life, if you really need to bullie someone find a mirror.

DL
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This comment is being left to educate some people who may need information that is missing from the posts that have been left. 1. Letter carriers do not deliver junk mail because they want to, they do it because Canada Post pays them to deliver it as customers pay Canada Post to have them delivered. A letter carrier will be fired if they do not deliver all that is given to them to deliver and that includes flyers.2. Letter carriers do not choose to deliver to central mailboxes but are forced to as that is the way that Canada Post wants mail delivered. The union has been and always will fight for door to door delivery as that is the way all people should recieve their mail.3. Canada Post is a Crown Corporation and is self sustaining with 16 years of profits in the hundreds of millions of dollars range after all expenses such as employees wages are paid for. It is not a tax payers responsiblity.4. The people of Canada do not want Canada Post to become the same as the US postal service. They are hundreds of millions of dollars in debt and are currently a tax payers burden.5. Canada Post keeps raising postage costs to be able to buy machines that do not properly work.6. Letter carriers have been over burdened with route restructures that now have them working on average 12 hours on a daily basis in many cities. Forgive them for the odd mis-delivered letter as mistakes do happen when you are tired. 7. The unions gains will also be the publics gains within time, so stop bashing and give your support as they will be there to support you if needed.

Doug
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Finally I may get a few weeks off from having to empty my box of junk mail.... Let's stop the insanity of it all and end this wastefull corporation once and for all.

rural alberta
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There are many parts of the country that have limited use and pay through the nose for internet, also UPS and other courier companies do not deliver to us rural people. However, Canada Post does an excellent job delivering parcels as well as all the small business billing. I pay most bills online, and yet I would be lost without Canada Post. Many seniors rely on CP. We do not all live in large centers like Edmonton and Calgary. I very much value the friendly dedicated people handling my confidential mail.

Rena Carnahan
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The Gov. should stand up to this, unions have got to strong years ago, forced prices up etc. I worked for a union meat packing plant years ago that was closed because of the cost.80 some odd jobs lost and some people were illeterate.
Albeta cutting needed teachers because of the teachers unions.
The rest of us are suffering because of a resession.Where is it all going to end.

Jason Daniel Baker, Toronto
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I still have mail missing from the last time they went on strike. I wonder if the Harper government might propose a no-strike/no-lockout provision and legislate them back to work. I also wonder how the NDP will play this. In Toronto outrage over trade union strike tactics helped get Rob Ford elected mayor. The political import of this will be very telling.

Toby
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Those who think that UPS & FedEx are so great must be either employees or you are not the one's paying the bill. Their rates are outrageous especially for International.To those that think the US Postal system is so wonderful and cheap - do your homework. USPS loses Billions $ per year which must be made up with taxpayer money.

George (CUPW Employee)
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As an employee of Canada Post and as a union paying member I am sadden by the fact that cooler heads could not pervail. We are going on strike for an employee who has yet to come to work at Canada Post. This employee will start at a lower wage but will take longer to reach the max pay scale and so they should. We are striking because my peers have been abusing sick leave for years. The new Short Term disability plan that was offered punishes only those that abused sick leave. What is wrong with 7 personal days that sees you get paid out for any unused days up to 5 days.As someone who pays $900/yr to my union I would like to know why they are refusing to cover our Benefits. Do the math $900 x 50000 members = $4,5000,000.The strike mandate was only for the original offer made by Canada Post. Since the original offer Canada Post has made concessions where CUPW has only put out our wish list in the 2 final offers they provided.There has been talk on the Canada Post forum and in the work place that we need to decertify CUPW and have someone else represent us.

LP in NB
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Let them go on strike - they are overpaid and underworked. As a private sector employee - our employer took away our paid sick time and replaced it with personal days - we couldn't go on strike and with the economy the way it is - you keep your job and make concessions. We received a returned letter at the office not long ago marked "Moved, Address Unknown" the letter was mailed in November, 2010! Now that's efficiency for you.

A. Smith
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I see that some people have been favourably comparing Canada Post with the U.S. system. Absolutely wrong. The U.S. system delivers on time, everywhere, and fast. As for Canada Post, I have had at least six parcels lost forever in the system, perhaps stolen, in the last three years.They earn too much, do as little as possible, and don't give a damn about the security or condition of the mail they deliver - if they do indeed finally get it to your door or box. Wake up posties! A house in Florida is not a guaranteed right in the constitution! Take a good look at the world and the rest of us, then rearrange your mindset. No-one is guaranteed the privileged lives you have had for decades. Take a bit of a hit, and be thankful you still have a high wage. Otherwise, you will go the way of the Dodo.

tony
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Canada Post has been bargining for over a year now for a new contract. If any of you remember with out unions you would not have benefits like EI, time off work to take care of your new born child. How often do they go on strike? do you ever hear about the agreements that are settled with out a strike. I work for the CFIA our contract comes due end of the year. The earliest we could even consider strike is 1.5yrs after that at earliest and CFIA employee's have not been on strike since the early 90's thats almost 20 years with no strike and collective agreements reached. If you think all unions get paid to much the amount they get paid as the same as private undustry.

Steve in Ottawa
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If the postal workers go on strike, turning down all that money, the paid holidays, the benefits AND the pension, then the Government should simply change the federal Legislation to open the jobs to free and fair competition. Wages and benefits at other courier companies are 50% what they are at Canada Post so that is the reasoning for the new MAJORITY government to open the Post Office to private competition. We could shed 30,000 of the 48,000 workers and replace them with 15,000 workers at lower rates than we are paying now. Everyone benefits. The new hires get good jobs paying way more than they make now but less than the current rates. The Post Office saves its money and the current postal workers get to retire early. No point even talking to the union. Just do it.

TAP
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you guys should be out of business anyway cause the internet does all my bills and what not .all you want is more money, and mail is never on time,we dont need you we have u.p.s and puralator so go ahead and quit. i'd rather use puraltor anyway

Cynical
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One poster - obviously a letter carrier - notes that some carriers spend 2 hours or more sorting before leaving on their route. Why? Post codes and computerized sorting were supposed to reduce that to a minimum. What is happening behind the scenes that makes that much sorting necessary?

elaine
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i would like to know if CSST checks will be deliver. We depend on this check.

Countrygal
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Postal strike! Go ahead rates are already so high we must find other means of shipping and communicating. There are already some companies that will not ship Canada Post. Try putting an order int to Staples & see if they will send via Canada Post!

Joe Spumolio
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A friend of mine works for CP and he told me last October this strike was coming. Given the current economic climate, I say let them walk, then fire them all, then replace the work force with people who want to have a job, not a bunch of entitled cry babies.

judy
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get rid of them all - including pensions - overpaid - we stopped having our mailed delivered years ago due to poor attitude and mail mix ups

Tiffany
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For those of you who called Postal workers over paid babies... think about this would you really be comfortable with someone making minimum wage delivering your important documents. (passports, credit cards, adoption papers, banking information ect.) You think the people working at Mcdonalds or Tim Hortons really have job integrity and give a crap about customer satisfaction? Some of you may not use Canada post for anything important, and thats your choice but the majority of this country at one point or another will or has. For the comment regarding central mailboxes... write a letter to CP, its their decision to use those so they only have to pay one person to deliver rather then 3 letter carriers. Casuals at CP get paid the same as a FT letter carrier yet, they are not guaranteed any amount of hours. If they're called to work it can be anytime during that specific day and they're only given a small amount of time to be available. They'd be lucky to be called twice in one week. It's disgusting how so many people have there opinions of letter carriers but don't even know the full job!!

Victoria, BC
said
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There a several comments here saying this isn't about money. Then if it's not why is the Union asking for a different amount than the Corporation is offering?

jim Hamilton
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Who cares if they strike. All they bring to my p.o.box which is 6 blocks from where I live is junk mail and the odd bill, most of my bills are by email. They are lucky to have jobs with benefits. I get nothing being self employed, no holidays, pension, nothing. I will say that when I do mail a letter it is cheap and convenient. If they strike they will lose more market share, they are smug. They would never survive in the private sector.

Richard
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Wow...many of the posters on here are like dogs....they don't seem to like the postman either...Heel posters...Heel!!!!

Dan
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Who is going to cover the bilion's in business losses associated with a significant mail disruption?Ultimately it will simply push businesses to further distance themselves from Canada Post's services. The Union, by striking and holding business hostage will only drive more business away from their employer which will result in a permenant loss of business and associated jobs in the long term.

River
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Canada Post should be deemed an essential service for (personal mail). Let them strike using junk mail for the advertisers.

Scott (in Wild Rose Alliance Country)
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It's in the cards Canada Post...you're a thing of the past and you don't even know it! The only tragedy about CP going away altogether would be the lost jobs.

Mr John.
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Maybe a good idea to get rid of the junk mail is to walk with it to the nearest mailbox and write on it.."Return to sender..address unknown" Then throw it back in the box.

LV
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I don't even get mail delivery to my home, cos that would mean extra work for the overpaid letter carriers.I have to drive to a central mailbox, yet I pay the same postage rates as people who get home delivery.I don't think that's fair.

D. Vancouver
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I don't work for Canada Post, nor do I know anyone who works for Canada Post. I have a computer etc, but I depend on Canada post for many packages and I enjoy sending out greeting cards. I sincerely hope that Canada Post can reach a solution with the Government. For those who are so resentful of Canada Post and feel that being a mail carrier is such a simple , easy job, why did you not become a mail carrier?

Maggie
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I have seen my mail lying by the curb a block from my house,and have received other's mail on a number of occasions, including periodicals and government issued checks. I want a cut of the salary for getting my mail off the street and delivering other's letters.

Dixie from Alberta
said
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Who cares..as long as I have the internet

Rowann
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i worked for a while delivering papers. i had to work in the exact same conditions as the mail carriers, had to provide my own shoes, coats, gloves etc. i got paid $300 a month, no benefits, no sick days, no nothing, and i had to go get the papers in a city an hour away to bring them home to deliver them, and i didnt get reimbursed for the gas i used. no, i havent been in their shoes, but boy i wish i had.

David Nilson
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I'm not sure where all of this hatred for Canada Post comes from. I've always had good service and tip my letter carrier every year at Christmas. I think people in general like to rant and rave about government workers.

Sherri
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Funny Own a small buisness, we get paid by cheques Then we pay our employees, too bad no one cares if we get paid but the greedy unions can ask for as much as they want and when they don't get it, cause eveyone else to struggle. Maybe they will go the way of GM ask there employees if 75 and hour might have been to much. greedy greedy greedy

GHW
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To date I have not made any real effort to reduce my snail mail but believe I will make a greater effort now. In a declining industry on the tail end of the great recession I cannot think of anything more idiotic than demanding more and threatening to strike. A strike will only serve to accelerate the decline and reduce the workforce. Go ahead and strike if you want.

Jason
said
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It's time for UPS and FedEx to come up with mail solution and if this keeps happening that's exactly what will happen. As we do less and less mail, the courier companies will be looking to expand their business and mail is only source of shipping left. Within 10 years there is CP and all mail is going via UPS or FedEx. What can brown do for you? Deliver my mail.

LV
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Here in Peterborough we don't even get mail delivery to our home, because that would be too much work for the overpaid babies.
We have to drive to a central mailbox, yet we pay too same postal fees as people who get home delivery.
I don't think that's fair.

Retiredgumshoe44
said
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My Mom just received two letters today here on Vancouver Island from London Ontario posted May 19 and and 24th respectively. Both were properly addressed and yet they arrived the same day. What gives?

Brian in Alberta
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Alot of people in hee are right on one thing. Canada Post is not tax payer funded. They have a union and are fighting for their own cause. As for the public, suck it up, not your money. As for the small busness owners who say busness is going to be affected.. Well its you people who are screwing the public. When you order anything through the mail, look at what is being charged for shipping and then go to canada post and actually see what should be charged. One will find its the companies you deal with that are hurting you more than Canada Post will ever. If I was getting a decent shipping rate from any company, then maybe I would complain about my mail being late the odd time.

SMC
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Many years ago, I had a friend get hired on as a casual with Canada Post. I was stunned when I found out how much she got an hour. I remember thinking, "How in the hell can you justify paying that much money for unskilled labour."I guess the traditional threats of strikes around Christmas time has turned many people sour when it comes to sympathy for the Posties.That being said, with the trend now to send most simple correspondence though e-mails, combined with most company's need to get things there quickly, and economically, puts Canada Post as a second choice.Though I sympathize with their desire for increased wages, they have almost become outdated as a mail carrier. Hopefully they don't bit the hand that feeds them. Being unemployed is a lot worse that only making $25.00 plus an hour.

manner
said
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Given the technology, the courier companies, and direct deposit/billing: is this the preverbail tree in a forest?

MH Postie
said
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Wow, I can't believe the amount of IGNORANCE in these comments. Walk a mile in our shoes first before you throw stones people! This isn't about money, we're lucky to get 1.5 percent raises, its about all the changes Canada Post is trying to hammer us with. They bought new sorting machines from the U.S.(for $2 BILLION), and they want to radically change things without anyone's input except the suits in Ottawa. They want to save the $2B off of our backs!!

Marc
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@ GabrielLife isn't fair, so it's about time you learned that lesson. You don't like your job, quit. The sooner our postal service can change into the US model, the better.And really, nice attitude. You don't get paid enough, so you make the entire country suffer. How exactly are you the good guys? Oh, you work too hard... Aw... Poor babies.

Victoria
said
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There are plenty of courier companies, ICS, DHL, Canpar, whose rates are comprable to CP, they'll pickup at your business and send you a bill. A lot of companies have put in wage freezes and down sized during the difficult economic times, why does CP's union think they should be any different? BTW people who work for courier companies are subject to the same extremes as the postal workers so that reasoning for more pay doesn't fly.

RC
said
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Not sure why unions even try to listen to employers as if they are dealing in good faith. A few days ago a deal...then not. Hummm...employer just trying for some time to get their PR machine warmed up for what they planned on doing months ago? Bashing what others have fought for because your job will never get better and you will be tossed aside should you ever become disabled, sick, etc is impotent fist pounding. Working at walmart part time (no employee health insurance, reduced WCB/UIC benefits for employer don't you know) all so you can dream to own that trailer they sold you...is not a forgone conclusion. Employers need you as much as you need them...and economy needs both!

montreal50
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@ Rob in Ottawa, if you dont like the heat and the cold then you should get a job at La Source and work in a nice airconditioned mall just one thing they dont pay 25.00 an hour, sucks eh!

Lila
said
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wow, $24/hr selling stamps, PLUS benefits? i should quit my job doing actual work and go into stamp retail - the fact that you make more than some teachers (who actually work to help people better their lives) and nurses - well that just makes me sick. so forgive me if i resent those who are striking because you want LESS mail to carry for MORE money - but i say we abolish canada post and privatize the mail industry in canada - would definitely be more efficient, cost effective (when there is competition, there is negotiation) and less lazy workers complaining that they need to do less for more.

montreal50
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If they go on strike will that make a difference, because half the time you send stuff in the mail and it never gets there,when the weather is bad they dont even pass, couple of weeks ago the mailman passed on my street at 9:30 at night, I guess he slept in a bit, what a joke...

Wayne
said
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In my estimation, anyone who goes on strike these days, makes too much money. This is the pity of greed.

Annie
said
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Wouldn't even use Canada Post if I didn't have to. They totally have awful service are over paid and in can't deliver even registered parcels to the correct address.I know many people who had great jobs and are now working at McDonalds. Maybe they should all go there and see how good they have it now.Of course maybe this strike will help us move away from using Canada Post.

TheD Out West
said
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Time to bust the Union!$25 per hour to start is wrong! They should make no more than 10/hour to start!Unions are useless! They were a one time concerned for the welfare of ALL workers, not just their greedy selves! They should all be canned!If I was paid according to the "Canada Post Union" standards I would be making 196/hour! As it stands I make just over their start, and I had to have 2 years college for that!I am glad I had a few canned for gross incompetence for leaving the super box open and leaving packages on the door step when it was clearly marked on the package �Must Be Signed For�Down with CANADA POST!

Laurel
said
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I am so happy to see some of the comments on here supporting unions and the work they do. As stated Canada Post is not funded by taxes and is the only delivery company that has to deliver anywhere in Canada...you can't say that about the US owned couriers, and they cost a lot more. Instead of bashing union workers and their benefits, why isn't everyone trying to get what they have. Instead of bringing down the workers to wages and benefits that are not even considered a living wage. Unions work to make a better society for all of Canada!!!

UnSheep
said
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The majority of comments are foolish, everyone is fighting to lower each others standard of living until what we are all Chinese factory workers?

I am not a Canadapost employee, but if you are so jealous of their compensation than you should go and work there. Low pay/benefits gets low quality employees - public unions also help to keep private companies in check through competition.

Bottom line is quit being so negative - if you like their job better go out and do it or stop whining.

Will
said
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Bring in essential service legislation. the Canada Post unions should NEVER have been given the option to strike.

Paul Butterfield
said
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I have worked as a letter carrier for 17 years! I've trained alot of new kids to do the job! I absolutely love how people try to cut my job down. The last one I saw get trained was 25 yrs old and after a week of training was given the same walk to do and quit the job after 5 minutes cause it was too cold and could'nt hack it! I worked before as a carpenter so I know what work is and 95% of you making these comments would'nt last 5 minutes.

TG
said
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Canada Post is probably already one of the best places to work. Well over $20 per hour, pensions, holidays off, bonuses, etc. As far as Im concerned this is turning into nothing but greed already- that is greed at the expense of millions of Canadians who depend on parcels, letters, and other mail to be delivered to them on a daily basis. And even if they get their way, (which they will) it is at our cost. What ignorance on behalf of Canada Post.

Ashley
said
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I used to work for Canada Post but couldn`t handle all the corporation and union infighting. But it this case I support the workers and what the union is doing for them. I still have many friends and family working for Canada Post. Before you all start to critize postal workers you should have your facts straight. This is NOT about money. This is about benefit cuts and the bureaucracy associated with it. All of you moaning about how much they make and how you don`t get the same pay my answer to you is get a diffenent job then.

Kathleen
said
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We don't have mail delivered - P O Boxes in our town. Mail is rarely sorted before lunch time. These people are getting paid for being rude to customers. I avoid using the postal services in this country whenever possible. I can deliver my mail quicker by foot. Try living on a pension and see if you want to strike - for what good it would do. All this strike will achieve is fewer people using the post office, ergo fewer jobs. Come and live in the real world for a while.

curt
said
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they must need a break from their hard work.I sent 2 letters at same time to same place yet one took 1 week later to get there.Oh yes they need a raise

harlo
said
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who cares the only thing i get is bills. my armed forces pension is direct deposit and instead of writting letters i send e-mails years ago we depended . a great deal on canada post. they use to hold the country hostage. they can not do that anymore. i do not see the need for the mail to be delivered more than a couple of times a week anyway.

Gerry from MB.but not N.D.P.
said
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If you are in a union thy will demand all this union stuff because the unions are run by socialist goons they do not care about costs let the tax payers pay.

J Stad
said
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UPS really? No thank you. Ever try and buy something in the States with UPS $50 handling fee?

Frieda
said
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Canadian Crown corporations are enterprises owned by the federal government of Canada. You work for us.....

Roslyn
said
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Shortly postmen and postal workers will be as outdated as buggy whips. In the past I would use at least 5 stamps a week......now I use 5 stamps in 6 months. I pay my bills on line, I send e-mails to friends and business associates and when I open my mail box, I throw 98% of what I receive in the garbage. $25.00 an hour.....give me a break. Have the government use the money they pay these dingbats and buy everyone a computer.

Arlene Walsh
said
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We now live in Vegas but our friends and family live in Canada. We have to mail Birthday Cards, etc. at least 10 days in advance to ensure that they get delivered on time! When we lived in Canada, we had difficulty with mail delivery, but if we complained to the Post Office, we wouldn't get any mail at all! We sent Christmas presents (with an itemized amount on the outside of the package) and the entire parcel was damaged.

anthony Hamilton, ON.
said
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its kind of sad that they are on strike again. really stop you whining and start doing your job. The worst part is that they can go on strike and cause an uproar over money and benefits yet look at us SOLDIERS. the postal workers make, on average, more than a Canadian Corporal in Afghanistan. Do we complain? No we do our job, kick butt, and come home because that is what we are paid to do. So you postal workers really have no right to complain. Suck it up and move on, and stop making every other Canadian suffer because you think you deserve to make as much as a doctor.

cindy p.
said
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Who actually uses snail mail anymore??? My bet is Canada Post will soon become obsolete then what will those poor overpaid government workers do. Boo hoo!

bill
said
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let them go on strike. who cares. just close the doors and tell them all to find work somewhere else. it would be interesting to see their entire package laid out on the table. i think most would be shocked if they knew their wages ,benefits, retirement package. all this for sitting around in an air conditioned building

Nick
said
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Funny business but it is cheaper to send a package in the United States than within Ontario or Canada.Cheers , soon it will cost even more!!

Count123
said
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This whole thing is about greed. I'm unemployed and have been looking for a job for a long time. Let me deliver mail for half of the pay the current workers are getting now. I am sure there are a lot of people out there that would be willing do the same. These union members need to shut up and be happy they are even working.

NRM
said
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After speaking with numerous Canada Post workers I've come to the conclusion that far too many of them are spoiled and grossly overpaid. The more time they spend on the picket line, the more people will conclude there are other more efficient means to move parcels and documents around the country. Stirking is a lose-lose situation for the postal employees. Accept your pay and benefits as is, or potentially lose it all.

Liz
said
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GO with UPS...enough of this crap!

Ger
said
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I am so tired of all the whining!!! I am self employed - no benefits - no sick days - no holiday pay. If I don't work and/or find work I earn ZERO!!! I guess I could apply at Canada Post and get paid $25/hour for delivering paper - a job anyone could do!!!

Chris
said
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Well another Union on strike. You know sometimes I am on the side of the unioin and sometimes I am on the side of the corporation. In this case I have to belive that the union is wrong. I look at how much the people who carry my mail are paid and i want to cry. I also work for the gov't and I make less money then they do. I have went through 4 years of university and they have what, a highschool diplpoma. Yes you have to do a lot of walking but so do the people that work for me. My staff works very hard for the money they get and they are thankfull for it. Wow you have to work during the winter, okay lets lay you off in the winter and see how you feel. Lets not even talk about what some of the mail carriers do. I have repeatedly asked my mail carrier not to walk over the bushes between myself and my neighbor but for some reason she has decided to continue and has killed them. Come on postal workers you are well paid for what you do, enjoy your slack job and cushy benefits.

Gabriel,Camrose
said
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Wow so many of you are so clueless about Canada Post,it is mind blowing.Working for Canada Post is NOT working for the Goverment.It is a Crown corporation who only has one mandat,serve EVERY canadian,not make money.Canada Post has made over 100 million dollars a year in profit for almost 15 years now.That money is put back in the Goverment's pockets.So for those of you still think your taxes pay for my wage,get your facts straight because of my selling stamps and such your taxes are lower.I've worked for Canada Post for 10 years and I make less now then I did 10 years ago and now they want to take my sick days and my holidays away so that management can get big fat bonusses.I make $24/hrs with pathetic benefits,well below the average in most provinces.If any of you have problems with how fast your mail is handle,before you complain about your letter carrier not working hard enough,just remember who makes the decisions about closing down post offices and postal plants to save a buck,not your carrier who goes out every day,it's all the over paid executives hidding in their offices away from the public.We're going on strike because Canada Post wants to steal what we already have not because we want more.

clane
said
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Simple solution: Make Mail an essential service. Lots of the provincial governments have this clause, so if there is a strike, those who are essential still have to work, while the rest walk the line.

Rob from Ottawa
said
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I have not read all the comments here, but I have read enough to say this:Yes I am against having a strike, but...Those of you that say the postal workers are over paid or underworked need to spend a week in the workers shoes in mid summer (above 30 degree weather), or mid winter when the temperature is below -20 degrees.I have a good friend of mine that is a postal worker. he shows up early in the morning to setup his route (he uses his own car to deliver in the city) and then waits for the okay to leave from the office. As they make sure that every postal worker has the daily flyers. And since he delivers to boxes for the community he has to use a metal key (very cold in winter) onlock the boxes and make sure the mail goes into the correct boxes. He has to deal with new communities that the boxes are set but no pavement to walk on so gets very muddy during rain. Too bad he has to provide his own footwear. And when you look at his hand full of callusos and cracks due to the weather, you would think he doesn't wear gloves. But he does but not warm enaouth as he still needs to be able to handle the mail without dropping it in that puddle (lake sometimes) or slush.

No Mail!
said
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We need a form where we can cancel our mail. I don't need it anymore.

john out west
said
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if we all work for minimum wage, what will that do to the tax base and our standard of living. unions raise everyones wages. think people.

Janet
said
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what is the hourly wage of a post offic employee

Ben
said
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Fire them all - who needs Canada Post - it's just a waste of paper & taxpayers money. People need to get with the program and realize that you can deal with just about everything online - paperless!!! Couriers can take care of the rest.
It will save money - it's better for environment - it's a no brainer!!!

Dan from Calgary
said
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Glad the little guy for once is demanding better compensation...look at what Harper and Company just gave themselves along with their nice fat pensions and perks...that we all have to pay for as well...

AP
said
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WOW - what makes people think they have the right to critize someone else for the job they are doing - Letter carriers are no different than anyone else - they are doing a job to make a living.
And until you know what they have to put up with from the Corp. - you should not comment. 1.9% increase over 4 years - not anything to write home about! Losing pension/sick time after putting in 30+ years for it - you call that fair? Overpaid - have you seen one of their pay statements - you would change your mind pretty fast if you had. I am not a postal worker but for someone that calls themselves "melp poco"??? and can't spell but has the nerve to make such hurtful negative comments about another person when they have no clue about the actual job...makes me wonder. Yes - they make mistakes - those that have never made a mistake - throw the first stone! Oh, btw - the letter carriers don't even see the contracts offered by the Corporation - it is all the Union so lay off the name calling please. There are still lots of people out there that do depend on Canada Post. Move to the US if you think it is so great - but the grass is no greener!

arraignee
said
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I've been a supervisor at Canada Post for 10 years. Prior to that I was a letter carrier. Prior to that, I had several jobs in the private sector. I'd like to clarify a few things: 1) no one gets paid out any sick days at the end of the year or at retirement. They do accumulate and should an employee face a serious illness in the future it is certainly an advantage to have accumulated sick time that can be used until long term disability kicks in (funny how people hear a rumor and keep repeating it). As for people using 15 days a year, part of my job is to ensure this does not happen. Workers who creep up around the 5 or 6 day mark are called in to meetings and yes, harassed, frankly. This is not a part of my job I enjoy but that's how it is. For the record, I have several employees who haven't been sick or injured in over 2 years and 1 for 4 years. Two of my workers have used 15 days this year, both had surgery.2) Five hour days? Maybe 20 years ago, although I didn't work there then. Work loads are definitely heavier than when I did it, and I even worked full days. I do sometimes have carriers finishing in 6.5 or 7 hours, but they work without any breaks at all so really if they had taken coffee breaks and a lunch break, we'd be at 8 hours. Many work even longer hours. I spent time in the private sector too. People work 8 hours but how much of that time is really on task work? Facebook, email, ebay anyone?A lot of these people like their jobs and work hard. Don't generalise.

don.h
said
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maybe if we started geting service like they do in the states ( pick up letters from your mail box, deliver parcels to your house, saturday deliveries, and reasonable postage) you might deserve a raise.

Doug ^^^ BC
said
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I'm short of to many details to be absolutely sure which side of this disagreement is being unreasonable.But this is always the problem when negotiating with public sector uinions.They use their monopoly staus to essentially black mail governments into paying a lot more that what the job is worth.In BC,I know of public sector workers who earn more than $27 per hour for sweeping floors.They get this not because the job is worth that much,but because they belong to the right union,with a monopoly on that work.And,as if the wage is not a big enough rip off of taxpayers,most of whom earn far less, the pension entitlements are going to be the real drain on the pbulic purse.For decades to come. I'd suggest privatizing.But I concede,I do not know which private sector companies will be lining up to serve smaller,remote communties that don't have enough population to generate enough revenue to break even,never mind make a profit. I don't think postal workers should starve.But face it folks,these are non skilled jobs.These workers should be paid in line with workers in the private sector with similar skills.They cannot be subsidized because they are members of a public sector,union monoploy.Taxpayers can no longer afford that kind of generosity.

Rural Route Joe
said
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Remeber everyone, us Rural and Suburban mail carriers (RSMC) will continue to work until Canada Post Corporation lays us off because of no mail during the strike. We have been in negosiations with Canada Post with a reopener in OUR collective agreement since November 2009...but Canada Post fails to come to the table.The big Problem is that Canada Post has a old boys club at the top and just looks at saving money so that they get their million dollars bonuses. They don't care about the worker's espicailly us RSMC's. Our collective agreement is going to end december 31, 2011...yes in 7 months....we are asking for one thing and one thing only....Parity!!! with our Urban brothers and sisters.....that is it....nice a simple.....there are only 6500 of us...so you would think it would be simple. Canada Post owes RSMC's 39 Million dollars from our collective agreement for increase in wages and benifits but Canada Post refuses to pay it out? WHY?? one word...GREED!!!

Ed
said
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I bring about $50,000.00 per year in business for Canada Post, however, the idea of my business suffering due to a strike has me thinking of switching curriers. After all, the savings that once existed by shipping with Canada Post are getting smaller and smaller, as UPS, Fed Ex and DHL are rapidly closing the gap due to customers such as me jumping off the Canada Post wagon.
This will be the start of a vicious cycle which will see the other courier companies acquiring more ex-Canada Post clients, affording them the luxury of dropping the rates even further and hurting Canada Post even more.
The union seems to be totally oblivious to who they are hurting. In the end it turns out they are threatening to disrupt service to their biggest contributors. No, I am not talking about Joe going to the post office to purchase 10 stamps -- I am taking about companies such as mine who rely on Canada Post to deliver the packages to their customers. The on-line business is an ever-growing industry which will always look for ways to deliver their goods safely, on time and at a discount. Their actions are undermining all of that.
The bottom line is this: by wanting to keep their jobs, the union is actually making Canada Post loose customers, be it that they switch carriers, or simply that they switch to online billing after numerous notes from the providers stating that Canada Post is unreliable.
I am not an economist or an oracle, but I have to say that drastic change has to occur to ensure that the union realizes that - through Canada Post - the CUSTOMERS are the ones putting the food on the table.

ken8023@gmail.com
said
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ESL classes needed by most leaving comments. Unions do serve a purpose.

Lz in Edmonton
said
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I appreciate my letter carriers but at the same time, letter carriers have to appreicate the ongoing business climate. I do believe everyone should be treated fairly but that also includes the Public. I recently sent out over 1000 letters and am waiting for a reply. I have heard back from 500 or so and need another 500 back. Now I get affected. Who am I supposed to call? The Government? ya right. Take a number. Anyhow, I hope both the union and CPC work things out as this is more than about letters and wages. Its about the health of the economy in some cases.

Marc
said
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And it certainly speaks volumes when something I order from the US arrives in less than a week, while something ordered from Canada takes 2-3 weeks. You postal workers might think your jobs are hard, but the USPS proves they're not.

Marc
said
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Screw Canada Post. It's bad enough they don't work on weekends (at least in my area), they also take every damned holiday off. The US postal service, on the other hand, works almost every single day. Shutting down mail delivery like they want to should be illegal, as everyone needs their mail delivered.

bakergurl
said
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I agree with Jon. The union reps have done a horrible job communicating with the workers. The reps seems to have no clue what the higher ups are doing. Posties are having to find out all their info from the media.

Mark from brampton
said
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With my small business, I ship over 1200 packages a month using Canada Post. The service is not that great (delivery times are unreliable), but the cost is much better than UPS or Fedex.I have been shut down for over a week because I don't want packages stuck in transit - I hope this is resolved soon!

lj
said
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my husband is a postal worker and he works hard for his pay.he walks miles on end in weather colder than ever and hotter than hell to deliver what he is paid for whether the person receives it thinks it is important or not.how do you people think these businesses get their advertising to you?they need to keep a thriving business and they choose canada post to do it.i don't hear anyone complaining about all the flyers and advets that come in your paper to save you money or give you an ideahow to enjoy life.he has to deal with dogs "that don't bite' BUT HAVE losers who don't work and WANTto live off the system to have a living and then rub it in your face they can do nothing and can get paid amongst others.thank goodness for the real people who appreciate what he does each day- to the seniors who look forward to their 2 minute visits when they are lonely and to the businesses that thrive on the mail service.the satisfaction is in doing a good job for what you are paid for and not doing work in a car factory that is mindless and you get top wages for that.lets be fair people.

Eli AB
said
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If they are doing 8 hours worth of work in 5 hours how is that safe? they complain constantly about their health and well being and yet they are they're own worst enemy. there are two types of people in that union, those that live in the real world (and are greatful for everything that they have gotten and understand that the company can not continue to pay out what it used to when mail volumes were high) and those that live in the world of Canada Post (and think that they are entitled to work for 5 hours a day and get paid for 8, and take 15 days off with pay on top of at least 3 vacations weeks a year with pay, and think that the company is horrible for asking for a more reasonable agreement). The saddest part is that the union is going to cause its own undoing... if they strike it will be the end of canada post as we know it... maybe not this month or next, but in the very near future.

jd
said
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Let them strike,mail should be delivered only 2 days a week anyway.They are just another waste of taxpayer money.

K.Robert
said
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I think this strike or the possibility of it is very unfortunate. Taxpayers money? Actually Canada Post Corp. gives the Canadian government money from it's profits. The red community boxes, is a corporation idea to save labour costs. People in the big centres don't reply on Canada Post as much as people in the rural communities, for example Canada Post actually delivers parcels for UPS in remote locations in Saskatchewan (I know because I have seen that first hand) because it isn't cost efficient for them to deliver outside of urban centres. I like that fact that the union is willing to stick up for the new people being hired to be treated as equals and receive the same benefits and rate of pay. Yes some of the unions requests seem a bit out there. The last postal strike was in 1997 (I think) and it seemed pretty quiet for 11 years, so what happened this time? Was the Corporation greedy? Or are the Employees asking for too much? And why did Moya Green jump over to Royal Mail? Wasn't she supposed to change Canada Post and get it ready for privatization? I guess I am a little old school, I like to open my door and reach in my mailbox and see what I get. I have the option of getting it electronically but I do prefer snail mail as many call it. Some people have a busier lifestyle and need it now so I guess that is why they do the electronic methods. There is a lot of bashing in these comments, and it goes both ways, I guess it depends on how you perceive the situation. Just a comment to those who want to lash out, please use spell check, you wont look so ignorant.

franco
said
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Canada Post is a Crown Corp. making over 30 million dollars a year for the past 16 years. Taxpayers do not pay their salaries. Why fix something that isn't broken.

J. SMITH
said
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Why are you people complaint about the just mail??? are there no people out there who have small businesses who are trying to get that extra business and put out flyers. Yea sure these guys are overpaid but they are not at all under worked. They have to walk all this way so people can have their mail on time. Yes they make mistakes but who doesn't ???
i don't want to see Canada Post go. they are so cheap. I sent envelop to to Ontario once with Greyhound and it cost me 10 bucks.. I sent the same envelope to the same place with C.P. and it cost me 50 cents. So why would you want that service gone. think about it.

cindy
said
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To all the Canada Post workers have you calculated all the money that you will kiss good bye when you go on strike. And have you thought about the benefits that will abruptly stop. You whine about delivering in the winter, and half the time don't blaming sidwalks with a skiff of snow on them, but the newspaper carriers do it no complaints at all! You are very well paid to do a job that takes very little skill!! Suck it up!!

Super Canada Post
said
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I like the graphic used for the story. It shows a bold Canada Post Box superimposed over a speeding Canada postal truck. It's like the cover of a child's Superman comic. We don't receive super service. Canadians from coast to coast have come to "expect" poor service from Canada Post, now we can expect zero service for several weeks or months. It�s time for this Crown Corporation to fold and the CUPW can dissolve with it.

Linda
said
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Hmm Postal workers work "5" hour days in the cold, wind, rain, snow, unkept sidewalks, nuisance animals five days a week. Most office workers work 8 hours day and surf the net, chat with their buddies, text, take numerous smoke breaks, take lunch breaks AND still think that they should get raises and bonuses yearly. I have more respect for the Postal Worker. Don't throw stones at glass houses people.

Sam
said
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Sadly for most commenters, they have no idea what they are talking about... they think that the "posties" are villains which is what we have been complaining about to management for the past 5 or 6 years as they are the ones who demand we cut back on our service. We have been ORDERED (and penalized for not following those orders) to leave parcels at doors, to do 1 and 1/3 dellivery routes a day (which makes mail late) to leave unattended routes for days on end when someone quits due to injury or stress... the number of workers at my station dropped from 50 to 33, and noone was replaced, just forced overtime. People are breaking down, 35 year olds have knee surgeries, When we ask about new hires, we are told that noone can cope with the training. When there are new hires, they are so overworked that they quit. The training center is like a revolving door. They are hired for a week at a time, then laid off. Stay casual for up to 5 years. It is not the letter carriers who are villains.

Ian Ottawa
said
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For us who have Loved ones in Afghanistan I guess You couldn't care less. I think Canada Post should be privatized and to Heck with the well paid poor service and being held hostage every few years because of greed in a job that in most cases a monkey could be trained to do.

In BC
said
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If they do go on strike, I would fire the union leaders if I were part of that union. As someone already said, they are not bargaining from a position of strength and do not have the public's support, and this is the wrong time of year for a postal strike. Unions had their use in the past (distant past) but once they improved what were once dreadful working conditions (as someone said think Scrooge) they are basically left with only higher wages to fight for. And wages for some jobs can only go so high before the companies go out of business, witness the problems in the auto industry which stemmed from union demands for benefits. As for unions leading the way in improving benefits (ie maternity leave), I would say that this type of benefit arose more women in the workforce/womens' rights and the fact that when the economy was booming the employers would add benefits to try to attract workers for which unions can't take credit.

Get Real
said
0 0

I do not have a union where I work. However, I am thankful that they do exist. As if they didn't I would not enjoy such perks as sick days, holiday paid, a decent wage, just to name a few. If we were to get rid of all the unions, and restaff with lower paid workers, what do you think that would do to the economy? Think about that.

Andrew McAllister
said
0 0

I say let these whining children go on strike. All that will happen then is they will loose any remaining support from the public. As well people will just change their billing to online billing, and package sending to Fedex, Puralator, or one of the other many carriers out there. Public sector unions have got to learn that the world is changing and that the public no longer supports them. Its time to break these unions that bring on 'child abuse' buy increasing our debt load, which will have to be paid of by future generations.

Syl
said
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to melppoco
There are some people, especially the elderly and poorer folk, who do not have a computer or internet etc. and are dependant on the Post Office for cheques, bills, letters from loved ones, etc. Canada Post should not be allowed to strike.

Lisa P.
said
0 0

I am a Canadian Military member currently deployed away from my family for another five months. The highlight of our day, which has everyone storming the mail room, is when we receive packages and letters from home. It keeps us going and it even brightens the day of those who do not receive mail because we always share with others. Please don't take that away from us even if for only a little while...

chel in the Peg
said
0 0

A postal strike? How quaint!

Julia
said
0 0

Seriously... until you have walked a day in my shoes as a carrier .... none of you have any right to say anything... we work hard in all types of weather and we are a crown corporation... and last year Canada Post made 280 Million dollars in revenue.. which end up back in the governments pockets...... most of the public have no idea what are job entails... and did I mention I do love my job... and its not my choice I strike... its my unions.

John A
said
0 0

Chillz wrote;
"Working only 5 hours and getting paid for 8 hours is different than doing 8 hours worth of work in 5 hours. Try doing the job yourself before you criticize."

Chillz, let's get serious here, if you do 8 hrs worth of work in 5 hours everyday then obviously 5 hrs is all that it takes, the other 3 hrs you are being paid for is because you are unionized. This would not happen in a non-union environment. A far as trying it before criticizing, I have worked in the oil industry for 35 yrs, the people that drill for and produce the oil this country runs on are actually worth what they are getting paid.

Craig
said
0 0

My business is dependant on Canada Post. I ship upwards of 1000 packages a month. It is the most reliable way to deliver my packages to customers. Yes, it's better than UPS and Fedex and considerably cheaper. Canada Post is a valuable service for countless online businesses in Canada.I feel for the workers, as things have changed for them. I also feel for upper management at Canada Post because of the challenges the business faces. I hope it can be worked out and a strike averted.

WalkingSwiftly??
said
0 0

Why would any corporation pay employees 8 hours for work that be accomplished in 5 hours. Are you suggesting that some people walk faster than others, and we should pay everyone the same? Most companyies have productivity standards, with those that can't meet them being replaced.What insanity took over and allowed workers to work faster and then go home while being paid?

Jim
said
0 0

The Federal Government needs to prevent a postal striike by declaring the postal workers an essential service. If the Toronto Transit Commission(TTC) workers are not allowed to strike the postal service should be treated the same. Besides, with all the legislation in place nowadays striking should be is a thing of the past. Too much of tax payers money is being tied up with these negotians in the first place. Unions need to go.

Inga
said
0 0

I for one don't care whether the post office exists or not, but I don't run a busiess that relies on mail delivery. It's a joke where I live. Received 2 X-mas cards on March 4, never got the renewal for my house insurance, T3 never showed up, and I regularly receive my neighbours mail and they receive mine. Quite often I get mail that belongs to the corporation 2 streets over. I used to deliver it myself, but seeing as I'm not on Canada Posts' payroll, I've stopped that.

Marcel NWO
said
0 0

There are only a few more years left in the current model of our postal service. With the advancement of the internet and online banking and bill payment the usefulness of out postal system is destined to die a slow and expensive death. Unions were needed at one time but they have also outlived their lives. Let all the people on both side have their pay held back and you will see this resolved very quickly.We are all preparing for this interruption, some of us have been prepared for days like this back in the latter part of the last century. Ever try to get the post office to find the reason why a letter does not make it to its destination or why a letter takes 30 days to arrive? Who wins and who looses?

Chris
said
0 0

Ahhh here we go... newly elected majority conservative government, and the unions and socialists are starting their revolts!!! Take what you have, shut up, and get to work!!!

DA-Manitoba
said
0 0

Mail....we actually still have that??? I actually haven't use the mail system in years. Almost everything is now digital....and if something IS critical enough to actually ship, a courier or shipper is used!They should watch themselves about striking, as it'll give more people the realization they don't use of need the mail system. THEN SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR JOBS AT CANADA POST!

Gis Bun
said
0 0

Canada Post has become useless. It is less reliable. I've seen Montreal to Toronah mail [even an envelope] take over a week.Over the past few years my home mail has been mostly delivered around 3 pm. A couple times a month after 5 pm. I've seen it as late as 8:30 pm.I was told that a carrier can request a different route if he's not happy with his current one. The is is part of the current CBA.What a tough life they have.

Paul
said
0 0

whining, whining and more whining.

Simon the letter Carrier
said
0 0

I do not know what kind of crack you people smoke but as a new letter carrier it is not 4-5 hours of work. For someone who may have been on the job same route etc for 30 years yes maybe. New letter carriers can often be seen delivering pas the time they are supposed to finish. Keep in mind also that the work starts in morning whent he route is being sorted, prior to getting to the route to deliver. It is not uncommon to see carriers sorting their route for 2-4 hours in the morning before they even get to their route, then delivery can take the same is not more...keeping in mind all the obstacles, inclement weather etc a carrier faces, dog attacks, injuries. The only human way for you to get a grasp of what is involved is to drag your fat ass to a letter carrier sortation case at 6 am and see if you can finish preparing your day of work within the alotted time and then see if you can deliver the mail in 4 hours..... I guarantee you that it will likely take you minimum 10 hours per day....

Carol Thomas- Dewey
said
0 0

We are a small business - our customers are our benefits. Canada Post has been charging high amounts for shipping and ... adds fuel surcharge to its invoices. They have taken the courriers along with them by going to the government. I am on the search for althernatives. But Canada Post but nothing will be cheaper in Canada. Canada Post will see to that!

Chillz
said
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Working only 5 hours and getting paid for 8 hours is different than doing 8 hours worth of work in 5 hours. Try doing the job yourself before you criticize.

melp poco
said
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Let these guys walk..never to be heard from again... I get all my stuff on line anyway...save the taxpayers a whole lot if we get rid of Canada Post...they usually put the wrong mail in my mailbox anyway...half the time it belongs to my neighbours...the postal workers are so useless...not the brightest people walking this planet and besdies we now have couriers so let me think...who needs Canada Post???....hmmmmm NO NONE..

union basher
said
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Union bashers are responsible for the 30 year steady decline of the standard of living for all not just union members.The brain washed tools who mime corporate talking points give new meaning to "bite the hand that feeds you".Some of you will not be satisfied until we return to the days of Scrooge and lumps of coal to heat the shack!News flash bright bulbs, fellow workers are not your enemies they are your peers.

Paul V in BC
said
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Privatization won't do any good if there remains a monopoly.

RickC
said
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Hmmmmm.... As a self employed person, if I don't find work, I don't get paid. I don't get sick time, nor do I get holiday pay. Actually I don't usually even get holidays. So my opinion is that if you don't like your job, find a new one. And oh yeah, all you postal workers actually make more money than me right now. I DON'T SUPPORT YOU!

Paperless
said
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I can do without the junk mail anyways. Paperless billing is the way to go. You can view your statements anytime, get reminders, and pay them. No more waiting

PBW
said
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80% of my mail is flyers or circulars; 10% is addressed ad-mail, the remainder the few bills I receive in paper format. Hopefully I can convert those last few bills to electronic format in the near future. At that point I will remount my mailbox so it drops directly into the recycling. Were everyone to do that, the postal workers would be out of a job and the union leaders who do nothing but grow fat on the dues paid by the membership would have to find some other group to exploit. Union bosses have become what unions were originally formed to fight against: bosses who ignored the needs of the workers.

Rajinder
said
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I wish they would make student loan delivery as essential as pension cheque delivery. Although student loans are granted by student aid, you cannot receive your documents to confirm your loan status, which you then are supposed to take to a canada post outlet to verify. What are students who are still waiting for loans supposed to do?

mCb
said
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I work for the post office, it's funny how people who don't have a clue on what we do. Every 1 who thinks we r over paid and greedy should try to work here, I would like to c most of u people think this is easy wait till u have to walk outside when it's minus 50 and 35. U sure will have a different outlook on what most letter carriers have to deal with, also on the "Tax payer " thing, do ur freakin home work, CPC is a crown corp and does not receive any money from the taxpayer. Thank you.....

RK
said
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You know what I'd miss most if they strike... nothing. Oh wait, no junk mail to clean out of my less-than-super box down the street (thanks to no door to door delivery in new subdivisions.) Yay!

John
said
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I don't know about gateway or the parcel service but I do know that the average letter carrier once they get their route work only 4-5 hours per day with pay for 8 and they get to go home too! Why do you think so many of them have second jobs? Add in 15 sick days with pay for ones not used plus $1000 a year bonus cheques for delivering junk mail and it adds up to a sweet job. I think if more of us knew all the truth we'd let them strike for a year. If they want our support let's have full disclosure.

Mountain girl
said
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Without the unions making demands and raising standards, many other jobs would be worse off now.
Many years ago, when postal workers got paternity leave, the general public thought it was unecessary, but now who would doubt the value of that right?

Employers seldom 'volounteer' to give workers 'extras' - money or benefits. How many of the benefits that workers take for granted and enjoy now are only in place because someone 'walked the line'? You just have to look at the workers who are exloited daily in countries where they have no protection or unions.

That is how many employers would like to treat all employees, but luckily we have some rights and protections in Canada - in large part, thanks to the unions who secured them for us!

I am self employed, but if I was looking for a job, I would want to be unionized. I say 'Thank You' to the union members who take all this type of abuse when they are only trying to improve working conditions for all! Good luck!

dave
said
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My postman does not deliver on Friday and some Monday's, and this has happened in at least two other homes I lived in over the past 20 years, different postal workers but this seems to be a perk they have worked outside of the union, I say let them strike, and we can depend on email and the private companies.

Chillz
said
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Why print out your own paperwork and waste money on ink cartridges & paper, when you can get the company to mail it for you for free?

Those that complain they don't need Canada Post are just shooting themselves in the foot. Does the company that want you to print out your own paper trail give you a discount or lower rate? NO!!!!!

btw, I love my mailman, he rocks!

Anne
said
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Before you vilify the postal workers, I understand that the corporation is attempting to create a two tier wage system; cutting their pension plan and getting rid of sick leave....giving a few personal days to use, however, should one have to use one for sickness they are hauled over the carpet, interviewed and generally raked over the coals. The management of Canada Post is archaic.

PrivatizeCanadaPost
said
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I am all for privatizing Canada Post. If you have not done so already, everybody, convert your bills to ebills. 2nd, send all greeting cards etc. by email. Use Evite or email for wedding invitations. Send emails instead of letters. Show them you are fed up with this BS by not using them anymore. And when half of them lose their jobs tell em you brought it on yourselves!! I worked for Canada post as a replacement worker when they went on strike in the 80's. Couldn't turn down the great money for a menial job. In one week I learned about 5 different positions. Took about 2 minutes training at each one. I had a friend who could deliver his route in 2.5 hours by jogging it. Rediculous. And carry over sick days??? Are you guys nuts?? You already use them for days off and feel you are entitled to them and must use them by the end of the year. News flash, they are for when you are actually sick!!!!

New Canadian
said
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Compared with the Royal Mail of the UK, Canada Post is dreadful. Most of the time they either leave valuable parcels on my doorstep all day or can't be bothered to deliver the parcel at all and drop off a notice - without even ringing the bell. Go on strike - I don't think it will accomplish much!

Daniel
said
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- I have sent a birthday card 2 weeks ago, from Northern Ontario to another toen in Ontario, and the card has not arrived yet. (Good service)- I pay all my bill on-line

Bobo
said
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Postman work for us . We need respect them.This is freedom country
.They can want to on strike.
Most people don't understand their
hard job.

cactus gary
said
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Clearly, all you nimrods who waste time and electrons continuing to expound on matters you know nothing about, is truly most uninteresting. I do not like unions nor do I sympathize with the postal workers. However, before you waste more electrons, you might spend some time researching the revenues of Canada Post; mail generates very little!

Hugh
said
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Just get rid of the whole thing. They are overpaid, under-worked and think they are God's gift to Canada. Get rid of the thing and save taxpayers a whole lot of money

C. Steele
said
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Just remember not all of the union members wanted to strike, but like every other union strike, the majority rules. I agree a strike is unnecessary, but also know that the union calls the shots. Get rid of the union (like that will ever happen!!) and there would be much less labor unrest.

Kay
said
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Oh Thank Heaven !!! Now I won't have to put up with alllll that junk mail!

Teeba in Cambridge
said
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The comment by John/ON is right on the mark. The union does not care what the employees want,all the unions care about is getting more,more, more,more, always more and never enough as they drive this country's economy into the ground. Current union position's are filled with lazy, selfish people doing as little as possible while driving up the cost of living for everyone else and creating a society of haves (those with union jobs) and have nots (those who can not get a job to pay the high cost of living in unionized areas). Unions are a parasite and getting rid of them is going to be ugly because they're antiquated,criminal, thieving organizations filled with uneducated, myopic management.

HS
said
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I wish people would stop assuming that we can do without the post office. I work in an industry that relies on paper mail movement. This may shock you, but just because the internet has prevailed as a primary communication medium, does NOT mean we can just "fire them all" and be done with it because "we don't need them."Actually, we -do- need them. Especially someone like me, who's job relies on the regular mail system.

John A
said
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Well said Raj & Sick and Tired!!Let em go, unions are a detriment to our economy, how do these people think they warrant the mega bucks that they are asking for. Let them go and replace them with non-union personnel who will work for an ethical wage.

David in Ottawa
said
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I forsee the mailman become what we knew of the milkman...their days are numbered....Accept the offer, stay off the radar and be grateful you all still have well paying jobs. The union is not working for you here, but working for itself.

T in AB
said
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Make it private, I'm sick of paying through the nose for unreliable service, workers how make a ton - with great benefits, and all that with high unemployment and a weak economy. Can I strike too? I'd like a company Ferrari to park in my company parking spot, with paid random days off on top of my high vacation and sick days, plus a wicked retirement package.... No wait, I work in a fairly high paid private industry that is in touch with reality, I'll continue to take transit to work, enjoy what vacation I do get, try to avoid getting sick so I don't miss work, and invest as wise as I can to ensure I can afford to retire. Like most Canadians. Hmmm - Crown Corp eh? So owned by Taxpayers? Can we vote on this? Lock 'em out until they accept what they had before.

Layla
said
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It always comes down to wanting more money. Suck it up buttercups, and be glad you have a job!

MarcO
said
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I hardly use the Post Office anymore. My cheques are direct-deposited, my email takes care of nearly all my correspondence, and I pay my bills through my online banking. A strike by the Post Office will not affect me that much. On second thought, yes it will: I will have less junk mail to throw away.

Damon
said
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One of the largest parts of Canada Post's services is shipping packages. As a business owner, I ship 20 to 30 packages every day via Canada Post. Not being to mail a letter is a minor inconvenience but not being able to ship packages is very tough on businesses. Even if you use couriers as well, Canada Post is WAY CHEAPER for rural addresses and you can't ship via courier to PO BOXES. There is no question a strike by Canada Post is really bad news for everyone.

Belleville
said
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I agreethere are people who do not have a job !!!!lost their job !!!!! people are starving !!! You all need to find out what it's like to be really down.Go on strike,I really don't care and sounds like everyone is on the same page.Money money money !!!there is more to life than the mighty dollar.Symplicity is the answer now and for the future.I work your postal out for a store,but don't get paid by the post and I make Min wage.

David
said
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If they go on strike, our mail box will be labelled "Not for Use by Canada Post, For Private Use Only". Best of luck finding another job. We don't use Canada Post anymore anyway, since the last strike(s), yes plural. The only ones dumb enought to still be using "post by horse" is the government. If they go on strike this will be the last nail in the coffin, of what we knew as "Canada Post".

Nick
said
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I can't remember the last time they went on strike. But if they go on strike. I hope they have good weather.

Leo
said
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FIRE them all !!Mail volume over the years is way down due to email, online banking, bills being sent electronically SO therefore we need less Canada Post workers and drivers.

No Sympathy
said
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With the amount of people out of work in this country, I say get rid of all those striking postal workers and hire those who would be too happy to work for what the current workers do now. They may even be able to find people who can put the right mail in your superbox and not litter the ground with blue elastics.

E. Lawson Hayne
said
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Fore all the work performed by employees in the postal service they already are overpaid. They do not deliver all mail on time as I am always getting some time dasted mail as much as 5 days after it should be delivered. They all ready get a very good pension and do not need any increase it it A letter carrier is not any better than an ordinary labourer doing a job in any service yet they alreadsy get a lot more. Any increase would be too much -- Lawson

Randy
said
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What ...another possible strike by the CUPW and it's not even Christmas???? What a drop in wage increase demands???? Well damn if the CUPW don't make you feel warm and fuzzy all over....for a minute at least.

Dave in F'ton
said
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I hope the postal union isn't looking to appeal to the public for support - a birthday card to my sister took five weeks to get from Fredericton to Windsor Ont!

herb t
said
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Let them go, with all the benifits they get while working and in their retirment years no company can afford to keep them, they have lost business as most people now use electronic mail

Robert B
said
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Let them go on strike for a few months and then see if they'll be ready to accept a contract!!! Win win for the taxpayers!!!!!

karl
said
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what more do they want? they have full benefits,pension plan,make good wages,and what do they mean by better working conditions.lucky you postal workers have all this ,thousands of employees dont have all the goodies. you knew the conditions when you were hired on,so quit complaining,or find a different job................

Raj
said
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I hate unions. Anyone that thinks this so called crown corporation should not be sold off, should think again They have one the most militant unions. For a start, why shouldnt a newer postal worker start at a lower rate? isn't that what most jobs do, and you work your way up in said job.I loathe unions, and what they will hold up in my business.Ups it is from now on.

Sick and tired
said
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Let them go. Don't bring them back and staff with non-union personnel. I am so sick and tired of the unions in this country demanding more and more and holding business at ransom. The receive far more than private sector or non-union environments receive. We are one of the most un-productive nations in the world - mostly due to high wages and benefits in the union sector. Tell me how you can justify paying a postal worker 45-50K for working for 4-5 hours a day - or working in a factory. They don't live in the real world..

True North
said
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Hi ho, hi ho, if it is off to strike we go.Seriously, though folks don't you think binding arbitration would be a better way to go? A strike that affects snail mail will not have the impact it once had.Good luck with your talks and I hope for all concerned that you don't walk the picket line as no one really wins.

trunorth
said
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Are postal workers really bargaining from a position of strength these days? Who will care if they go on strike?

JOHN from ON
said
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CTV, If you get a chance, talk to a local postal carrier. They are tell a different story. The union is calling all the shots on the contract negotiation. Most members would have voted for the new concessions made by Canada Post, but were not allowed to vote for the new contract. Each member got letters via registered mail saying the union was turning down the off by CP, stated last week, which most members would have excepted.

Unemployed Bum
said
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Good, fire them all. I need a job!!!

JB in Ontario
said
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I think there will be a strike.

Elizabeth Dixon, Pickering
said
0 0

Dean in Abby
said
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How about getting rid of some of the ridiculous things like 15 "sick days" and all of the "personal" days too. Get with reality like most of private industry and perhaps your jobs would survive. Until then, the internet and couriers will clean up and take over your jobs. At least the internet doesn't whine about "sick" days.

Dave
said
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In a world that is getting more electronic. Where people are loosing their jobs and these people are going to go on strike. No sympathy from me. Fankly I am getting fed up with all the belly aching about how hard it is and underpaid these workers are. Trying working in fast food for minimum wage. Be grateful you have a job.

Dave Stewart
said
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Have these goof balls forgot we now have email, ebills etc. they do not deserve any more than they get now. People are sick of Canada post and their strikes over we want we want. Let them all go find a new job