Postal workers' union moves forward with strike

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Postal workers' union moves forward with strike

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CTV Winnipeg Extended: Postal workers strike

Canadian Union of Postal Workers go on strike in Winnipeg after failing to negotiate a new contract with Canada Post.

CTV National News: Richard Madan on the strike

Canada Post workers will walk off the job at midnight tonight, after last minute negotiations failed to reach a deal.

CTV Toronto: Austin Delaney on the deadline

Austin Delaney reports as the deadline ahead of a possible Canada Post strike draws closer, and what it would take to stop t.

CTV Winnipeg: Jeremy Hunka on businesses reacting

Manitoba small business owners already see their businesses shrinking due to the threat of a Canada Post strike.

CTV Southwestern Ontario: Art Baumunk reports

Postal workers could be on strike as of midnight for the first time in 14 years if last minute talks fail to achieve a deal.

CTV News Channel: Gord Fischer, national director

The national director for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers discusses details of the workers' demands including wages for new hires and safety concerns.

CTV Toronto Extended: Mike Duquette, president

The president of Scarborough local of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers outlines some of the main issues in the strike vote which include a two-tier wage system, benfits and pensions.

CTV News Channel: Josh Hamilton, Canada Post

Canada Post's communications director says the focus is to get a deal that not only means the postal service's employees will be better off, but that Canada Post also won't become a burden on the taxpayers.

Watch: See all Videos in the Player

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Canadian Union of Postal Workers picket at the Canada Post processing facility in Winnipeg, Thursday, June 2, 2011. (Trevor Hagan / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Thu. Jun. 2 2011 11:59 PM ET

The union representing some 48,000 postal workers will begin a series of rotating 24-hour strikes Friday morning, beginning in Winnipeg, after failing to negotiate a new contract with Canada Post.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said it would begin job action in the Manitoba capital, then announce where the next strike would take place. A press conference is expected at 9 a.m. ET.

Canada Post offered one last concession Thursday before the 11:59 ET strike deadline, but it was not enough for the union.

The government-owned corporation said it was willing to put off a contentious short-term disability program until it's reviewed by a committee of union and management representatives.

But with little more than four hours to go until the deadline, the union sent out a statement saying it had "initiated strike activity" to push for a better deal.

"The purpose of our strike is to encourage CPC management to return to the bargaining table with a proposal that meets the needs of current and future postal workers," the union said.

Canada Post says it hopes to keep the union at the bargaining table, and a meeting between the two parties is scheduled for Friday. But the corporation's proposed changes to sick leave are a key sticking point for the union.

In an earlier statement, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers said the Winnipeg local will be the first to walk off the job.

"Winnipeg has been chosen as the location for the first strike activity because it was the first city to be impacted by Canada Post's modernization program," the union said, explaining that the initial 24-hour job action is intended to "encourage Canada Post Corporation to abandon their proposals for significant concessions and instead negotiate solutions."

In an interview with CTV News Channel, the national director of the CUPW in the prairie region said that means both mail sorting and delivery will grind to a halt.

While letters and packages will not be delivered, Gord Fischer said pensioners and others expecting social assistance cheques needn't worry.

Thanks to an agreement between the union and Canada Post, he said volunteers will be working on set days throughout whatever strike action develops to ensure those types of items reach their destination.

"We don't want to harm the pensioners or the people who are receiving social economic (sic) cheques," Fischer said.

After the first walkout in Winnipeg, the union says it will announce where the strike action will go next.

On Monday, the union provided mandatory 72-hour notice prior to strike action. But negotiations continued.

Several meetings on Wednesday proved fruitless, including a sit-down between the union met and Canada Post President Deepak Chopra, as well as the Crown corporation's chief negotiator, Mark MacDonell.

After those talks ended, the union, Chopra and MacDonell attended a separate meeting with Labour Minister Lisa Raitt, who urged the two sides to resume negotiations.

But the two sides ended those talks still far apart.

Canada Post says mail volumes have dropped more than 17 per cent since 2006, taking revenues down accordingly, and it must address labour costs as a result.

"We have challenges at Canada Post when you consider how much the Internet is eating into our business and the amount of mail in the system," Hamilton said.

To that end, the corporation has proposed a starting wage of $18 for new hires, as well as new pension rules.

Key sticking points cited by the union include health and safety problems stemming from new work methods and equipment, as well as sick leave rules for employees.

Fischer said that the contract proposed by the corporation would change how postal workers handle the mail and would make it "less safe."

"We've done an ergonomic study and we're saying we already have letter carriers with a high injury rate -- we need something that's actually going to make the job safer," he said.

However, the union's proposals come with a price tag that's unacceptable for Canada Post, Hamilton said.

The union has been in a legal strike position since May, when its members voted 95 per cent in favour. Negotiations around a new contract have been ongoing for seven months.

The last time postal workers went on strike was 1997, when their two week job action ended with federal back-to-work legislation.

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

JiminVan
said
0 0

Oh No! There goes my Junk Mail :(

Fedup of union whiners
said
0 0

Try being a postie for a day? Try being a teacher, cop, soldier, etc for a day. MUCH harder. When you make MORE than a Sergeant to START, more than someone with over 10 years experience, who puts LIFE on the line, you have NO BASIS to whine me buckos. Don't like what they offer? Then QUIT!!!! Let those who will HAPPILY take $17.50 an hour to start do the job, and likely BETTER!!

Patrick Young
said
0 0

Let them strike. They must concede and understand that Canadian taxpayers can no longer help a losing money maker. I can't see why we do not sell off the corporation to a private company. I can no longer continue having my taxes go up just to support higher wages for a company that is losing money year after year.

ASHAMED, BC
said
0 0

WOW That's all I can say after reading these comments. I'm proud that CUPW is standing up for the working people in this country. It is good for the economy and good for the rest of us. Canada Post made 281 million dollars in 2009, a time of economic crisis. At at time that the CEO Moya Greene made twice as much as the Prime Minister of Canada. The rich are getting richer and I support the Unions that are fighting for living wages, and maintaining living wages. Corporations won't be fighting for you. If it weren't for Unions we wouldn't have pensions, the 8 hour day, meal breaks. If it weren't for people wanting to make a difference we wouldn't have EI, WCB, or Social Assistance. So for those of you with nothing wishing you were a postie, be careful what you wish for, because they are coming for you next!

ric
said
0 0

Dear Mr. Haper please privatize this dinosaur and stop wasting my money...

Sick of Greed
said
0 0

Wait a minute Mr. Postman! You guys are outta line. Most of us DO NOT get 7 paid weeks of vacation per year or even anywhere close, plus all of the benefits and pensions and everything else you guys get. And now you want to BANK freaking sick days too??And why the he)) would you care about what new employees make? Have ANY of you noticed that the economy is in trouble? No. didn't think so.You guys are just greedy greedy greedy and the rest of Canada's working stiffs are fed up with unions and their greed! Trying working in the REAL WORLD and see how long YOU'D last!

Techie
said
0 0

I have worked in public accounting for 30 years and currently make $22.50/hour. In private enterprise, this is a decent salary.To suggest that no one will come to work at $18/hour is ludicrous. Ofcourse they will.Just not people with union mentality.Sorry, I don't feel one bit sorry for CPC workers.

business is business
said
0 0

The problem is with minimum wage. It should be a free market. You are sick you get fired. You are over 30 we get rid of you. Younger workers are much more productive. I give work to slobs and they only expect more. We don't need unions or government intervention. Why should I pay health taxes when I should be able to get workers for a lot less. I'm feeding you.

cn
said
0 0

I know that while both sides are whining about $$$$ --my business has already lost money because my custommers are worried about CP proposed strike and do not want to pay much higher courior costs to ensure delivery---but then, I don't really need to eat 3 meals a day.....

DJ
said
0 0

After reading most of these post I would say this country is in bad shape. The great majority of people on here are dumb as a stump with apoligies to the stump. Educate yourselves on what you speak.

L.H.Kunin
said
0 0

Because of Canada Post prices, errors, and lost packages, our company has 1) Been sending parcels by truck to be mailed from the USA which is only 70 miles from Montreal. (2) Pressuring companies to send invoices by email, rather than snail mail. (3) Making as many payment through the banking system instead of by cheque, and that includes tax payments. Do we need mail carriers? We were picking up our mail at the post office for years, until they pressured us to let the mail man deliver it. What can;t we simply eliminate the carrier and all pick up our mail?$24.00 an hour? I doubt there is anyone on my staff who would not try for that job. It is about double what it is worth.

POSTIE ME
said
0 0

Anyone of you are welcome to do my job if you think it that simple, I'll even pay you the $18/hr - benifit-income tax-union dues-pension dues-due-dues-dues.I bet you that you could not even last the week, and most not even the day.The taxpayer DOES NOT pay into Canada Post!Canada Post gives to the Gov't, the taxpay over $150 million every year.So, untill you've walked the 15 miles in my shoes, don't cry to my what you think, I've never asked you for your opinion.

Private
said
0 0

I'm sorry, but unless you know what you are attempting to comment on... I would keep it to myself. I'd suggest try to be a postal worker for a 2 to 4 week period to have the hands on experience you would require to have a true understanding of what such a job entails. Most of the comments I am reading on this site appear to be so one sided, tends to make me believe it's intensional hate literature rather than comments. (Possibly by Canada Post PR Personnel)

Steve
said
0 0

How often does a letter carrier position become available? That's right...hardly ever. If one does, how many applications do they receive ? That's right...thousands. Feel damn lucky to have the job you do and bring me my mail.

Johnn Kitchener
said
0 0

Hey, CUPW: Ever hear of Luddites?

Ron X
said
0 0

I like my job at Canada Post. It's one of the better places to work for and I am thankful I have it. I have to admit I applied because of the benefits and money. I have worked in many places that did not pay as well or have the benefits but that was my fault. I should have applied at Canada Post sooner. As far as lazy people in the work environment sure there are some. It irritates me but it was like that in all the places I have worked before. Mail volumes are down but people keep sending letters and companies still use the post to get their message out. A totally digital world would be a very cold world but if that is what society wants then they will get it. Until then, I am supporting my family with my wage and benefits. I don't get paid like a professional hockey player. I don't get a huge pension like some of our elected officials. I just feed my family and occasionally have a cold Canadian beer while I watch a hockey game. It is what it is.

JOE IN MONTREAL
said
0 0

Government/public worker should pay more tax for the luxury of having stable employment compared to those who work in private industry.

Ray
said
0 0

To bad the union is not keeping current on modernization. That is life in the real world. Get in touch with reality guys. I can deal with not getting mail on a regular basis - it happens without a strike so I won't notice much difference.

Chillz
said
0 0

For a "free" country, it's sad to read all the krypto-Communist comments from people who would like to see this entire country be privatized. There are alot of freeloaders & Armchair critics on here leaving comments who milk the system, then complain about the middle class workers who pays a third of his wages in taxes, just to put YOUR kids through school!It's funny how everyone forgot that it was CUPW who fought for maternity leave, so if you or anyone you know has benefited from this, you have A UNION TO THANK FOR IT!Don't worry, eventually you will get your welfare check in the mail and all will be well, until you folks find another middle class worker to bash in the middle of the day, when you should be either working or looking for a better job than the crummy one you have now.

jeff smith
said
0 0

They should be happy they have a Job's,The way things are going
To day they may make cut's if you keep pushing for more than what you have now,
Stop and think if you want cuts to get what you want it could happen,
WILL IT BE WORTH IT??????

Kate
said
0 0

they're only hurting themselves by striking; i pay all my bills electronically, I buy maybe 2 stamps a year, doesn't hurt me any and the people that use CPC will move to paying/receiving their bills electronically, the only ones you're hurting is yourselves, get back to work and grow up

Paul
said
0 0

For a job which requires no education or special skills, postal workers are very well paid and have excellent benefits.

Consider how many unemployed people would be thrilled to have the same salary benefits and have a much higher education than those who have this concept of entitlement.

Looking Elsewhere - Ottawa
said
0 0

There are many who still do rely on Canada Post..most though are doing things different now that there are so many other ways other than Canada Post. It's been years now we never ever get a piece of mail off at our home Fridays and/or Mondays... no need to talk privatization as UNIONS will still be involved...we have to change for the times and Canada Post has to step up and get with the times...

Working Class
said
0 0

CPC is trying to roll back wages & benefits the workers are only asking to maintain what they have now.
If postal workers get less does that mean you get more? NO. Our tax dollars don't pay for the postal service. CPC is a profitable company for the last 16 years that provides a public service. There are 50,000 decent paying jobs here for families. This is good for Canadian workers & communities. Employees live & spend their pay cheques in our communities. Why privatize? Will the govt then cut our taxes? NO! You could take away all the public services and they would still find ways to say we must pay more taxes. Good paying jobs are good for all workers, read between the lines folks. Big corporation & govt around the world are trying to lower the standard of living for all working class people. While a small % sit at the top with more than they can ever spend. Don't be jealous or envious Working class people should stand together in these fights. I support the postal workers whole heartily and thank them for the great job they do daily.

Jimmy
said
0 0

Going on strike? Why come that is? What's gonna become of all my in the transit mails items??

Pat
said
0 0

To Dan,

Not sure I understand your comment. true a stamp is 50 cents and internet is $30/month (what i pay for high speed) but i send 50 e-mails a day and they get there instantly, so you do the math......
Bottom line is paper mail is dying, you can get all your bills online, you can file and receive your tax return online. I can't rememebr the last time I sent a letter. Canada Post is not a essential service anymore as someone said, theres lots of options.

CandieCane
said
0 0

I would like to know how many people that are saying "the postal workers should stop complaing" have ever complained about their job?? I'm sure in whatever line of work you do, you would like to get paid more, better benefits, better pension plans, paid sick time, etc, etc - just your complaints aren't publized!

toe knee
said
0 0

some of the postal workers are getting $23 an hour i'd be happy getting the starting $18 an hour.let them strike how long they want there is always UPS,FedX,Purolator.Let Them Strike how long they want.

Ben
said
0 0

@ Bill

Are you kidding me - a slippery slope - did you hear what you just said!! I don't blame you for my life/job but that's exactly what you're doing to me. No wonder everyone thinks you're all losers - start acting like winners and and try to take of yourself!!! I don't expect anything from anyone/especially you. I am payed based on my knowledge and value in the job market as opposed to someone who claims they deserve it. Until you start accepting responsibility for your own life don't expect it to get any better - it's already going down hill - isn't it!!!

Laurie
said
0 0

Where's the long view in all of this? Post as we know it is going the way of the video rental store. Major chains are closing shop due to internet movie provider competition. One way to close the doors faster for Canada Post is for workers to make ridiculous demands upon a corporation facing the economic backlash of "technological" progress.

Employees and their union also lose the support of public opinion when their demands seem excessive in this time of economic restraint. You had a good ride, but the times they are a changing.

I am self-employed. 99 % of my pay for services is delivered by mail - a paper cheque. No mail service and I don't have an income. Is it conscionable to deny thousands of their bread and butter? Not being paid is a scary prospect. A strike will prove the need for electronic money transfers. Corporations will surely be looking for ways to reduce the impact of mail disruption to their customers and vendors.

As hard as this will be on me, I support the need for Canada Post Corporation to stay the course to try to save our long-term access paper mail delivery.

Will
said
0 0

There are to potential solutions to this: 1) fire them all and hire new people who are WILLING to work and 2) essential service legislation that removes the "right" to strike. Only an idiot would think a strike by a national union that cripples an essential service is ok.

Cool guy Dave
said
0 0

I wouldn't go so far as to say that postal service is useless, as some people are stating, but I think it's true to a certain extent that postal workers will be shooting themselves in the foot because during the strike more people will be signing up for online billing etc... so when they get back to work the demand for mail service will be even less which will eventually result in more layoffs etc. I think we'll always need Canada Post to a certain extent but the demand will decrease over the years.

Southern Ontario man
said
0 0

Once again the union scum sponsored by the socialist/communist NDP want to disrupt our economy again!! Unions are dangerous to Canada and must be taken out!

Donna
said
0 0

OK, so all the members of CUPW applied for these jobs voluntarily. They were not forced into taking these jobs with such horrible working conditions and low pay. If they didn't want to be a letter carrier then why apply for the job in the first place?Gotta love that union mentality. Especially the smile of the worker in the story.Hope that half the staff loses their jobs as a result of the strike.Welcome the real world of diminishing sales and the resulting downsizing.

Linda Wilkins
said
0 0

I think those concerned about their Ontario HST rebate cheque will find it has been sent out early to beat the postal strike. I got mine today, postdated for June 10th. Thanks Dalton!

Sam C
said
0 0

"Less safe?" I'd like to hear an unbiased description of how this new equipment will affect the safety of postal workers. Meanwhile, e-mail is 100% safe.

J.W.
said
0 0

Can'tUnderstandPeopleWorking

excitizen
said
0 0

Harrassment over sick days - WHY DON'T YOU JOIN THE REST OF THE REAL WORLD and deal with it! Fill out the $tupid form and get your money. I have never met a postal worker that was worth what they get paid! Try getting a real job!

JS
said
0 0

It would be interesting to get some facts such as what does the lowest paid worker and the average worker make in wages. Followed by what is the value of their extended health coverage, dental, and drug plan? How many weeks off a year do they receive as a new employee, after five years etc. Myself, I really wonder if we really need a Canada Post. I am reaching the point that I would prefer to use Puralator, Fedex etc. Right now I am expecting a rather important letter that appears will now be lost in the mail until this is settled. These large government unions have become far too powerful. As far as I am concerned the mail is an essential service, as are many departments that fall under the federal, municipal and provincial governments. There are those that do not appreciate that they really do have a good thing going. Most of us don't have extended health care, dental, drug plan or payed vacations, or pensions for that matter. That is our reality so it is difficult to get out a box of Kleenex. We all have to roll with new technology and changing times. It is rough all over.

Joe Spumolio...wanting to work for Canada Post
said
0 0

In today's labour market, $18.00/hr PLUS a pension is fantastic for unskilled labour. CUPW needs to face reality, just like the CAW had to face reality a couple of years ago at GM and Chrysler. The days of making huge coin doing manual labour requiring zero education are gone. People today are paid in accordance with what their labour is worth on the open market. Labour unions attempt to shield their members from the reality of market forces by changing the issues from wages to this sick day nonsense. I'm sure there are one or two legitimate long term disability cases at Canada Post but everybody knows posties are the biggest sick time scammers in Canada. Come on, postal workers...you're biting off your noses to spite your faces. You folks simply are not needed any more. You're doing unskilled labour for medical doctor wages. The private sector fell in line a couple of years ago. It's time to break the stranglehold public sector unions have on what is essentially an unneeded service propped up by a federal charter.

Bobby
said
0 0

Purolator is 80% owned by Canada Post. It's time for a pilot project to have them deliver all the parcels, perhaps some mail too. Get replacement workers into those facilities to see what they can really do. This is a huge opportunity for management to change the culture and the way things work, don't waste it!

donald
said
0 0

I can say that I've never had a problem getting my mail ever !
But in these times with so much anti union sentiment going on is would be prudent if the postal workers bargained realistically and it could mean giving up some things to continue having a job down the road.

No one never recovers lost moneys from a prolonged strike that is true this is not a good time to be pissing the tax payers off who are already sucking in the HST cash cow the Governments most resent theft from the public's wallets.

Ian form Sask
said
0 0

Let them strike.. 90% of the mail I get is garbage anyways!

Jane
said
0 0

The employees will not be the ones to benefit from the strike! However, the Union representatives will have lots to gain. I have never seen a strike work for the benefit of the current employees.

Onga
said
0 0

Who cares?

Lynne
said
0 0

Collective bargaining (in both the private and public sectors) can give material collateral benefits to all working people, whether they are unionized staff, non-unionized staff, or middle management. Gains for union employees can be used as leverage by non-unionized workers when negotiating with employers for wages/benefits. Bottom-line thinking which privileges money-making over people-value, when taken to an extreme, leads to a society of extremes (poverty and wealth). Public sector union emolyees are not the enemy of non-unionized private sector employees.

Roger
said
0 0

What part of NO the union doesn't understand. I do feel some of the employee who don't want to strike but it is time they speak out against their union and let them know that they run the show, not the union goons.
Go ahead and strike. You are digging yourselves in a hole and it is getting deeper.

nova scotia
said
0 0

I will glad trade my minimum wage job as a waitress working my butt off for my extra pay (tips) for a job at the postal office! What self respecting person can ask for more when the many people cant even find jobs! They should be happy they have something!

Dianna
said
0 0

you know so many people are like "oh this strike wont affect me i don't use the mail anymore." When in reality it really is gonna affect everyone. Whether you purchase things online, or get bills(which some are not avaiable online) its gonna cause a big confusion in a lot of people and companies.

Jeff W
said
0 0

How am I supposed to get my weekly shhipment of Viagara in the Mail ?. Should be a limp month.

Jamie in Pembroke
said
0 0

My company is taking steps to completely remove Canada Post from our service provider list. CP employees already make far more than my employees do, and have far better benefits. This strike is going to interfere with our billing cycle, and I don�t appreciate the CP striking employees putting my employee�s jobs at risk. We are voting with our feet, and everything is now going to be done via the internet or in person for our older clients who still prefer postal contact. Have fun on the picket line; we won�t be waiting when you get back to work.

Steogeb
said
0 0

I had a friend who had a summer job at the CP. The first day she was warned by the other workers NOT to do all the work assigned. Slow down, work slow, otherwise there will be trouble for her.

At least once a week, summer and winter, mail is delivered to my home by truck: My neighbour gets his mail, truck drives to my house - 15 meters - stops and the driver delivers my mail, then drives to the next house, delivers mail, all the way down the street.

Bad weather? No mail. Big snow storm? No mail.

Depending upon who is the regular delivery person, one day of the week - usually Fridays - there is no mail.

Three times a notice had been left in my mailbox saying that no one was home for a delivery. Oh yea? Once, I saw the truck pull up so I went to the door. I waited on the balcony while he did paperwork and then drove off. In my mailbox was a notice that I wasn't home. Complaints get me nowhere.

Next day delivery? Once a package gets to the Mississauga sorting plant, it can take up to three months for a package to be delivered two miles from the sorting plant.

You need high school and physical strength. I'm sorry, but the existing contract was generous and paying 40% over industry standards PLUS benefits. I'm not crying for CP workers. Let them become underpaid nurses.

putney swope
said
0 0

Employers nationwide try and squeeze everything they can out of their workers. Why is it so outrageous that workers try to squeeze everything they can out of their employers? CUPW has been an important force in the history of the middle class; they were the first federal union to fight for, and win, paid maternity leave, for example. I am not a member of CUPW but I support them.

Take some time and look closer at the issues. CP's executives make way too much money, up to $600K+. They are the ones that want to take away more benefits, alter pensions, pay employees less and disregard the personal risk of the employees.

CUPW workers have been on the front lines fighting for the middle class for basically as long as there has been a middle class.

firstMickey
said
0 0

A lot of us prefer e-mail to snail mail anyway. We pay bills online and communicate with friends and family by computer. So strike already. We don't care. Take a permanent vacation if you like, Canada Post. We won't miss you at all.

Sum
said
0 0

The union is making a HUGE mistake by going on strike. Get with the Real world today.

Steven in Ottawa
said
0 0

I'm a single father with two young children. Currently I'm on EI benefits and will start college in September. For the first time in years I'm getting a CRA refund - a modest amount - an amount about equal to probably one CP employee paycheck - a windfall for me and my family.But for union executives, this is the strategic time to go on strike, when people are getting their refund - a bit of extra cash. I wish I had a job at CP. I'd work for 1/2 the money.There was a time when unions had a purpose, when workers were mistreated, underpaid and worked in terrible conditions. But in this day civil servants like CP employees have a phenominal salary and benefits - and they are shutting down an essential service so that they can have better sick leave benefits. Their current benefits are the envy of those employed in the private sector.I'm just really fed up with unions and very greedy civil servants like CP emloyees, using us as pawns, going on strike with absolute no regard for the many people whose lives are much harder than theirs as it is. They should all be ashamed of themselves.

JN
said
0 0

My spouse works for CPC in a different division that those that are striking. He doesn't get paid now what they are asking for the new employees or have the benefits. CPC is making $ hand over fist and does not show any care or compensation for their employees! Some of the work done by employees goes unpaid & the gas used to deliver mail often comes out of their own pockets since CPC won't increase wages. We can't afford for him to work for CPC because it costs US money out of our pockets!!!

C Coutu
said
0 0

Go ahead and strike! I am changing everything to E-Billing! If you have internet access, just follow suit and you will not feel the disruption! It will result in less $ for Canada Post! Workers will be laid off to adjust for the losses! Grow up and give your head a shake and be grateful for a good job and great pension plan!

James Anderson
said
0 0

I am so sick and tired of Canada Post. I�ve experience such bad service over the years, they have screwed myself and my business over so many times I�ve had it. Now these self righteous whiners with their inflated sense of entitlement are going to cause some serious problems for me. I�m done with Canada Post� I�m going to do everything in my power to never to do business with them again.--James

George Carter
said
0 0

The woman with the strike signs seems quite happy with going on strike. I would be too if I was heading into a second long weekend with it turning into a potentially extra-long weekend. Must be a Double-income family where temporary loss of one income won't impact them...once again...must be nice

Sara
said
0 0

One issue the union is concerned about is the harassment of its members if they take one day of sick leave. Dealing with an insurance company to get one day of paid sick leave? It's just another tactic that the corporation is endorsing to relinquish the rights of these workers by intimidation and loss of privacy of medical information.

meme
said
0 0

Give the jobs to people who want them.

Gary in Winnipeg
said
0 0

One should not strive to be a letter carrier. It is not societies responsibility to ensure the less ambitious makes ambitious wages.

T
said
0 0

I would GLADLY take their job right now, regardless of what they 'want'. I'm sure there's thousands of other people that would love to have job like that right now as well! They barely work a full week to begin with, have benefits, get the weekends and holidays off....what else are they missing?

Ban public sector unions
said
0 0

I can respect and expect that people in the private sector have the right to join unions and withhold their labour when they deem it necessary. However, a union in the public sector that holds the public to ransom over what they claim to be sick days? Come off it. That's ridiculous. I hope the new majority Tories have a nice surprise in store for the posties. Canada Post makes most of it's revenue delivering junk mail. The real usefulness of Canada Post died with e-billing. For a workforce on the verge of extinction, who's main revenue stream is polluting the environment with unwanted junk mail, this strike is not logical. I don't begrudge anybody making a great wage or having great benefits...in the private sector. Public sector employees need to have a different set of rules. This is nothing more than abuse of public trust.

Jen Macbeth
said
0 0

Gotta LOVE this. I try to make a formal complaint to the Canada Post Ombudsman, and THIS is what I got. Too much!!!

We apologize for the temporary disruption with our online complaint form:

To submit your complaint to our office, please download the complaint form (PDF) and fax (1-800-204-4193) or mail it to: PO Box 90026, Ottawa ON K1V 1J8.

Once again our apologies for the inconvenience.

Paul
said
0 0

We should just PRIVATIZE Canada Post. It will be good for the taxpayers and good for the economy. Canada Post as a federal entity has outlived its usefulness in today's digital world.

no sick days
said
0 0

Sick days???? I know MANY people including myself that call that 'days off without pay'. Be happy you have any and a job.

wantmyownmailforachange
said
0 0

I'd just love it if we could receive our mail to our actual correct mailbox. We've had the same home for over 11 years and every time we get a new carrier our mail goes missing...I wish you all well with your job action, but PLEASE when you get back on the job.....bring me my own mail not the mail from the man three streets away please.

Angrymanwaitingforparcel
said
0 0

This reminds me of the strike by the TAs at York University. Incompetent people should not be rewarded but be revealed and punished. Next thing you know, once these miserable people gets their undeserved pay raise, they'll start sabotaging the system and lose everyone's mail deliberately at the cost of us hardworking taxpayers. Too bad this is not a service industry that can be outsourced... I am also mad because my parcel from China will take forever to arrive now. Thanks selfish people. If you are sick of your job, go find another one that pays you better. Common sense geez.

Mikey
said
0 0

embhee, thank you for such an intelligent post. You are living proof that the wages paid to CPC workers are more than fair in light of their required skills and intelligence.

Saddened By The Foolishness
said
0 0

It is a shame that CUPW is willing to trade off both the needs of Canadians and of their members because an $18 an hour starting wage is deemed inadequate. Their members won't make back what they lose in wages and benefits and the rest of us will be inconvenienced and yet they fight to retain membership dues at all of our cost. It is no wonder most Canadians no longer respect unions.

T from Saskatoon
said
0 0

Postal Workers.Thanks - I was really needing my tax return. This is the only piece of mail that I could not obtain through e-mail.Your time will come that the Canadian Public will realize how irrelevant your services really are.

Ben
said
0 0

I find it quite entertaining that the one consistent complaint is the working conditions. It's cold outside - it's raining - it's snowing - it's slippery - there are too many stairs - there are dogs - blah, blah blah. When you applied for the job were you not aware of these conditions? If you don't like your job why did you apply in the first place - and now that you have it all you do is whine - losers - life is tough - join the real world and please don't expect me to support you!!!

Bill
said
0 0

Ah the idiots complaining about unions, and how they should be glad to have a job, or I love the I'd fire them all speech! The reason Westjet etal don't have unions is because they recognize that if they keep their workers happy, there is a direct benefit to their bottom line. It's the same as the same idiots that think public sector workers should take a wage freeze of pay cut but would cry foul or rally the cry for armed confrontation if the government was to increase taxes to the same extent or decided that all individuals in the province should have to contribute XX % of their wage to the government. The I don't care what happens to others as long as it doesn't happen or affect me is a toxic slippery slope...

Don13
said
0 0

Speaking as a retired CPC worker, I was involved in every strike called by CUPW from 1970 to 1990 - not always willingly.However, that having been said, I would like to state here that I NEVER recovered the loss of income I suffered by participating in these strikes - nor did any of my co-workers to the best of my knowledge. (Sort of defeats the whole logic of a strike, doesn't it)?

Gerry from MB. but not N.D.P.
said
0 0

The socialists that run unions are trying to make Canada into the the south of the E.U. broke.

rmd
said
0 0

I've recently left the military and been a stay at home dad for a couple years, I've been looking for work and its slow going I must say, I would gladly work for CP if there were actual positions hiring, people should consider themselves lucky they have a job honestly in this environment.

John
said
0 0

I knew this was going to happen once i saw the CUPW President on the news (complete with facial earrings), yapping about the crap that they wanted). Sad...

Jeremy in Meaford
said
0 0

You can get bills online through ePost. I wonder if that will still work?

JA
said
0 0

If you think the mail volume drop of 17% since 2006 is big, wait until after a strike. Many more will experience the "convenience of the E world" and that 17% will be applied just to the period of the strike and will never come back.Many more jobs impacted

Brad from Cambridge, Ontario
said
0 0

Wow... maybe we should have supported the Typewriter repair companies as well. Get with the times... people don't need this archaic solution anymore. Now please everyone living in isolated communities know this.. it may be need for you, but not for us so we can say what we want and so can you. The reality of the situation is we cannot afford to pay these people tons of money to drop off junk mail for much longer... 5 years ago i got 100% of my bills via the mail. Now i get 90% of my bills via epost... so i don't know what to tell ya... what do you want? Do you want to go backwards? This is progress for civilization, the environment and productivity. Down with this Union garbage and up with competitiveness. Enjoy it while it last Canada Post Union... the storm is coming.

The Interwebs
said
0 0

Why send snail mail when you can email? Your computer does not go on strike or complain. Someone needs to invent the teleport for mail and packages device like in Star Trek. Otherwise the governemnt should make the mail a "vital service" so this strike stuff stops happening.

A courier employee
said
0 0

Unfortunately because of their pending strike over the past few weeks we have(understandably) not been permitted time off due to the volume of calls going up and now that they are on strike it is only goingto get worse.....no time off, double the call and cpc customers taking their frustrations out on us. I understand why some companies feel the need to go on strike but what I don't think they understand sometime is the stress and extra hard work they put on the other major courier companies here in Canada and how unfair and selfish that is. Just my thoughts

Gary (Toronto)
said
0 0

Wow, $18 start wage, that is above the average pay out there and the Union wants more? Are you kidding me? I'm surprise Canada Post haven't gone bankrupted with what they are asking for. I believe these kind of negotiations should be handled by a federal negotiator and put down what's fair for both sides.

Anne
said
0 0

I know they have made arrangements to deliver pension and welfare cheques - but aren't we Ontarians all due that final installment of HST rebates? I'm expecting to receive it in the mail around June 10 - right???

g
said
0 0

i get checks from the courts will they still come though thanks

Felix
said
0 0

To those so-called "Hard Working" CUPW. This is a free world, if you do not like the pay, go find another one. Do not take the real hard working Canadian as your hostage! You have been paid good enough.

Dan
said
0 0

Internet is 45$ a month

Stamps are 50 cents, I think if you're willing to give Canada post 45$ a month, there wouldnt be any problems.

So there you go with the internet comment, now for the one that said there isnt a need for unions now that employees arent abused like back in the days where it was a standard, well lets think here for a minute, how and why did it change, magic?!

Marty in Toronto
said
0 0

Declare the mail an essential service. To me it is!

billy
said
0 0

I shall miss the junk mail. What will I be able to throw out now that there is no junk mail?

Union Steward
said
0 0

I think it;'s nice that the postal union chose Winnipeg to go on strike first because they are trying to sell season tickets to their new hockey team, and everyone knows the NHL is run by corporate greed. Postal Workers can't afford to buy tickets if they are on strike. Union 1 Corporate America 0.

max
said
0 0

Hopefully the people in charge will jump on this opportunity to privatize Can. Post and kick some of these overpaid clowns out. The clowns who deliver my neighbors mail to me and my mail to a different neighbor. Who regularly cut through my yard whether I get mail or not.

Tired
said
0 0

Fire them all and contract out the work to a more efficient private contractor.

Julie Ottawa
said
0 0

Some people do need mail everyday. And for what they are asking for. When you let a kid have all he wants he'll always want more... same thing, different senario. It's hard to get a well paying job especially in any government related fields. If someone would take away your benefits / sick days / or money you would probably consider a strike too. I certainly would! Canada Post is my client at work, I certainly will have many headaches from this strike but I'm not sure I disagree. Some have been there long enough to expect to keep whatever they have. The new ones, can be under new rules. It's the circle of life. I don't believe that the person who has no education who works as a dish washer (for example) should make as much money as someone with a high school diploma working in an office having head aches all day or a person with a university level education operating on people. I'm just saying I agree and disagree with both sides. But if you gave me (for example) 65,000 a year 8 sick days and 6 weeks vacation I woulden't let you take it away!

Patrick Mye
said
0 0

I do not work for the postal service nor do i know anyone who does. But i do find some of the comments on here moronic.
many are saying i dont have what they have .. so since your life sucks .. so should thiers ?
that is your argument for not allowing them to get what they can.?
if you have a crappy job.. get an education.. find a better job.. instead of taking out your frustrations on others..

my job allows me to live but by no means is it making me rich but i refuse to take it out on others.

mason
said
0 0

People should be Grateful not Greedy.

Joan
said
0 0

Might not be an issue for people living in big canadian cities, that can run out and buy what they need. When you live in isolation as in some areas of NL, the postal syaytem is VERY important. People need to think about canada as bigger than just the city they live in. Especially you city people that have little care for other parts of Canada.

Dreamr
said
0 0

To the people who say they can't afford or get email....go to your public library, the internet is free to use. So guess what people you have no excuse now. Bye, Bye Canada Post!

Anti-union
said
0 0

Unions are archaic and redundant! They had a place in society way back when workers were being exploited and mistreated, but in today's labour market, there's no use for them. How is it that companies like Imperial Oil and Westjet can have happy employees? Because of the absence of unions who do nothing but foment discontent and a false sense of entitlement! Canada Post would do well to fold up shop and start a new corporation sans union!

Deepak Chopra
said
0 0

Stop, you're ruining Christmas!

Elizabeth Dixon. Pickering
said
0 0

Just a thought....but if the public is dragged into this strike without any choice or consultation should the public not also have the right to vote on the contract? After all it is the public who ultimately pays the price in terms of higher prices etc for Canada Post services.

Veronica
said
0 0

With revenues going down and one of the best wages, vacation, sick leave and pension plans going they should be grateful to have a job.

Jessica from Alberta
said
0 0

The one thing that sticks out in my mind is all the "posties" talking about being outside in all weather conditions, and sore knees, sore feet, sore back etc, being bitten by pets, falling down stairs etc etc. But you knew all this when you took the job. This is nothing you didn't know about before. There are plenty of people out there working in all weather conditions just the same as postal workers and you don't see them striking and being ridiculous about wages and pentions. As the wife of an oil field worker, I know all about being outside in -50 degree weather. To be honest, watch the weather channel, dress accordingly and stop complaining. There are plenty of people out there looking for jobs that would gladly take yours.

Personally, I would fire every person that went on strike, and hire people that are ready and willing to work. You make good money to do what you do. I know lots of people who would take your job in a heartbeat and not complain for even 1 day.

Al
said
0 0

Who cares if they go on strike? If you have parent seniors who depend on mail for pension cheques set them up for direct deposit. Guaranteed after that is done they will no go back to depending on Canada Post. Canada Post will have no choice but to resort to lay-offs and retirement.

Teamster
said
0 0

Showing support for my CUPW brothers.

Cody
said
0 0

Come on, these workers are starting to greedy. 4 years ago, I delivered news papers, I had to put them all together and deliver them. My pay was only $1.75 an hour, less than 1/4 of minimum wage (at the time). I was stuck doing that for a year, because they tricked me into signing to do that. These postal workers are making $18.00 an hour and up? Come on they can't complain about not being paid enough, there are hundreds of thousands of Canadians who wish they could make $18.00 an hour and up.

Codswallup
said
0 0

Sick and tired of Unions. Ever whining about Corporate greed; ever practising Union greed.

Louise
said
0 0

There's something to be said for those who have the nerve to be greedy, the nerve to gouge, from fellow Canadian Citizens. Canadians who are all doing their best to maintain some kind of standard of living and some kind of security in these changing times, in this economy. These employees make a great wage, have a pension, vacation pay, benefits. They should consider themselves lucky. Hopefully they won't have the nerve to complain about their lost wages while standing on the picket lines, especially when they are there to take more money out of my pocket.

Estebahn Bahesia
said
0 0

I work inside the plant in Winnipeg. How hard is to stand and watch a machine process mail? Ask a supervisor, I feed that machine. It runs twice as fast as the old machine. Why don't you go to work and have your boss decide that you should do twice as much work for the same pay. You would be outraged if you could no longer troll websites and make comments like that because you had to work harder. Mike A, I bet you do pay a fair wage, in your own mind. A wage that gets you a fine Cadillac while your employees get a bus pass. I don't like employers like you so I did beat it, to a job that had a Union in place. Mail volumes have not decreased that much. Do some research and look at the numbers. Why do you think CPC only mentions from 2006 on. Our highest mail volume year ever was 2007. The recession was 2008. 2009 was recovering and we are almost back to where we were. 16 years of profit paid back to the Gov't. Thank a postal worker for making you money taxpayer, You've never paid me a cent.

Peter Riedel
said
0 0

This is what UNIONS are good for - STRIKE, STRIKE, STRIKE!

The Welfare collectors have nothing to worry about but my wife who is going through chemo treatments now CANNOT send the paperwork or collect her $1900 per month insurance payments to cover treatment.

Thanks Canada Post Booooooo!

Jen Macbeth
said
0 0

This will be a DISASTER for me. I am going through chemo and have to submit ORIGINAL prescription receipts to my insurance companies. I cannot sumbit originals online, it MUST BE DONE via the postal service. if I do not get reimbursed each month for the $$1938.00 I spend on my meds, I will have to discontinue my treatment or pay Fed Ex or Puralator to send them, which is $9.00 a pop. They are making sure that people on social assistance and pensioners get THEIR cheques - what about sick people who have mobility issues????

Econ_student
said
0 0

Quote from Diane
"Business is down 17% because of online technology. That is not the fault of the employees so therefore should not be penalized."

Cutting the salary is not penalizing the workers. Basic economics tell you when demand goes down, price goes down and output quantity produce will decrease. Because of the decrease in output, the demand for input factors (labor, capital) will also go down. this decrease in labor demand will then cause labor cost to go down. No one is being penalized here, this is just a consequence. If people don't agree with this logic, never ask for a pay raise when economy gets better. It's the same logic but in the opposite direction.

embhee
said
0 0

you guys shut up!!!! you dont understand we will fight for it!!! i am a canada post employee we will stand till the end to those people that dont work at the post office you should shut up you dont know what are really going on....

DeeMac
said
0 0

When commenting on whether or not you think a postal strike will affect you, keep in mind a great deal of Canada Post's business is not just personal. My employer and several other businesses in the same field all send out a lot of post every day. For them to have to start couriering cheques to suppliers, whom are not all local would be very costly. Paying bills by courier, when there is no alternative choice like electronic payments in a great number of cases, is not an activity that is affordable for any duration, let alone a long one.

If things start very quickly becoming more expensive for our employers, that will, eventually, affect us all, do not delude yourself.

And we are not just talking about paying supplier bills. There are parts and suuplies that regularly flow through Canada Post for a lot of businesses. And for those parts and supplies that are shipped via other means, there's still the problem of what happens when those suupliers can't get paid? That's right - they stop shipping to the customers who haven't paid.

Our economy will be affected by this strike, and if it goes on long enough, it will affect us all.

One of the key issues is that of sick time. Canada Post wants to eliminate sick time for employees and go to only short term disability. My husband happens to work for a company who has that set up. No sick pay, only STD, after an absence of more than 3 days. Do you know what he received after being sick for two weeks? $267 (out of a normal paycheck of $1300). I would strike to keep my sick pay too!

Big A
said
0 0

to Just a Thought - Are you kidding me buddy !!!!! when was the last time you saw a postie in sleet and snow. In a cab maybe.............................

anonymous
said
0 0

This is the very reason why Walmart does not have unions...

from Orleans
said
0 0

My thoughts:
1. They are striking because they CAN, doesn't make it right.
2. In these hard times, take the extras that you are given and appreciate them.
3. Sick days, etc. are a PRIVILEGE, not a right, why should they carry over?
4. While i appreciate that it's very hard work, i agree with others, if you don't like it, then go somewhere else!
5. To those joking about not having to receive junk mail, here's my suggestion: if you have a community mailbox like i do, put a sticker inside that says "no junk mail". They won't leave anything in your box that does not have your name on it.

doug
said
0 0

What a bunch of dummies.The post office and their "so called workers"are dinosours.Time has passed them by--there are other methods now to communicate.For these people to go on stike is like commiting suicide.They will never recover as people will change methods and habits and not go back to "sanil mail".

Dan
said
0 0

Physically demanding, out in all kinds of weather, risk of dog bites - sounds like my son's job. Delivering newspapers for about $6/hour.

Since when do you get paid for physically demainding jobs? Most physically demaninding jobs are unskilled labour. Ditch diggers, lawnmowers, gas jockey's. These people have to work in all kinds of weather. Should the guy pumping my gas at Shell make $23 an hour to start? Come on.

Mail delivery once a week. Or not at all. I would have no problem coming in to pick it up or drop it off when I need a parcel sent. Just send me an email when I have mail waiting for me. Or give it to my son, he'll delivery it for you for $6/hour.

dave
said
0 0

I run a small business and depend on Canada Post to mail out all my orders. I cannot afford alternatives like Fedex. This strike is going to hurt a lot more people than just pensioners. And hey - where's my sick leave?

Brent
said
0 0

They will lose all they can gain by being off work on strike. Such stupidity. But, stupid is as stupid does, right? Get back to work, slackers.

RC
said
0 0

I support union's side of this. Employee's greedy and always starting these fights with their staff so their managers can get bigger bonuses. Not everyone wants to live in the trailer next to your's with no hope of ever doing better! Business got their free handouts last few years when Government was handing out billions to them...to "stabilize the economy". Business needs employee's. Employeee's need business. Economy needs both. Target employer's, that's where the waste is. Bashing others who actually work for a living and the little people in-fighting is exactly what business wants you to do. Then THEY win either way.

jay
said
0 0

I Am A Postal Worker and many of us Do Not Agree with our union not signing the last proposal. We will not be walking the picket lines!! This time around the union picked on and harrassed the new and young workers into voting for a strike. We older workers were against it because we know the union will shoot us in the foot also. Many of us are on the same page as the average Canadian. There is nothing we can do! I've seen workers in past times chastized by Union workers, their own people, cars keyed, windows smashed, bullying at work. Yes this so called Union has to go. Bring on a better one!!!

Collin
said
0 0

There is such limited economic
If value in striking it is almost laughable. Union workers will never make up their lost compensation by striking, and in the face of a changing economic and technological climate they would be better served work with Canada Post on figuring out how to keep their nobs and grow the companies earning power

Ryan
said
0 0

Who cares? Sell it off...there's a new FREE way to communicate and pay bills called the Internet.

Steve in Vancouver
said
0 0

l get a lot of junk mail. l get mail most days but its junk and l sure wont miss it.

Mike in Pembroke
said
0 0

Go on strike I do not care. The only thing I get most times is junk mail. The post office here in Pembroke must be trying to clear out the all the extra flyers today in case they go on strike. The mail I got today consisted of two Davidson Hearing Aid flyers, Three Pizza Piza flyers and a Johnson Inc flyer. The last time I got anything that I will call real mail was last Friday when I got my CAA magazine. If the postal union keeps it up I think in time they will strike themselves right out of a job.

Shawn in Mtl
said
0 0

So long as they're back by Dec 1st (when I send my Christmas card) I don't reall care. Like many here, I agree, they'd better pull their heads outta their Post Bags and realize that theirs is an antiquated service that technology continues to make obsolete...

MuskyBuck
said
0 0

I've been a broadcaster, writer/producer and entrepreneur all my life....////I've never had security in any sense that most people expect or want.....////With that said, I'm also someone who understands the importance of unions and I tire at hearing people degrade them based on their silly sentimental notions they've either created in their head or had someone in their family teach them.Unions aren't about socialistic politics, they are about keeping the balance between corporations who will rape the population given the chance and the workers who do the work to have CEO's who would take the food out of your pantry if law would allow it......in a sense they do anyhow.....////In this case, it's a crown corporation and the union position is only justified by making sure crown corp. managers (who collectively aren't very bright), don't create problems with half wit plans due to half wit intelligence, collectively speaking of course.....////However, from the little I understand, (and I've asked and I still will not consider myself expert), the union has no grounds in this case.....workers shouldn't have rights to bankroll unused sick days and secondly, you cannot stop the march of progress.....technology is what it is and workers must adapt.....I therefore do not support this action.

Bewildered
said
0 0

Some simple questions? Always the hardest to get the answers to1) Do we need daily mail? Once a week for private and 3 times per week for business???2) Canada Post employees complain about modernization, perhaps they could go back to a horse and buggy...save us the fuel-nice "green" alternative3) Can't live on $30/hr - there is always choices out there...apply for a new job that might interest you more and pay you less(maybe even more)4) Being a waiter/dishwasher/fruit picker/hotel room cleaner sound to me like hard jobs--not sure if they are in the 30/hr range but they are always hiring.5) Does a first yr employee work less than a 20 yr employee delivering mail? Obviously they must, since they are paid considerably less.

edward
said
0 0

I wonder if Canada Post Workers think they are the only ones who have tough jobs and have to work in bad weather? I think not..

Janet
said
0 0

I have been working for 42 years and my hourly rate is less the average postal worker; I do not have any health benefits or pension benefits. I find it very difficult to sympathize with the union efforts.

Ip Oi Sheung
said
0 0

During this weak economic period,
people are lucky when they still have a job. Why these postal guys who already got stable jobs still want to go for strike. They will only slow down the economic growth of the country.

Agree
said
0 0

Well said Deke!!
I'm with you on this one. I have a bachelor's degree and I didn't start at $18/hour. And my job actually requires a few skills!

Martina
said
0 0

I'm quite looking forward to not finding any junk in my mailbox for a while. It seems that's the only mail Canada Post delivers anymore.

Jason
said
0 0

Changing times always bring pains to those most affected. I really am sorry for the CP workers and the unfortunate truth that they work in an industry that is getting automated, digitized and losing money. It is certainly not their fault, but it also isn't CP's fault. The future is happening right now and this is what happens when the great dynamics of our society change. It is time for CP workers to get re-educated and find new trades. No company in North America offers life-time employment, so stop asking for it. Be responsible for your own life and make the efforts because CP is a dieing, beached whale. Welcome to digital life. You all want email, cell phones and online-bill payments... this is the result.

Dan
said
0 0

I'm pretty sure Deepak Chopra is not the president of Canada Post

Frank
said
0 0

Simple, bring in replacement workers at the first plant that strikes. If we (the customers) notice little to no difference in how mail/parcels are delivered, fire the rest. Think of this as an opportunity to trial new business processes.

Mel
said
0 0

Am I the only one who feels that $18/hour is an excellent starting salary for a job where no real training, education or special skills are required?? You don't even need to be bilingual to sort or deliver mail! Starting salaries should be minimum wage, and you build up from there with experience and senority. This is not to take away from the important work that postal workers do, but give me a break. Everyone knows that Canada Post workers are overpaid - I've heard it all my life! I had a friend who graduated in Architectural Engineering and quit her job to work as a mail sorter at Canada Post for $20/hour!!! Let them go ahead and strike - at least they wont be paid for those days. Anything I can send by mail, I can also send via fax or email.

Expedite This Please
said
0 0

I'm sorry I missed the part where the Postal workers one day, many years ago were all forced from their homes and taken to Canada Post where they have been forced to work. Did any actually apply for those jobs? Was there, let's say one or two, who could read and write and know what they were hiring onto? Or are they in fact made up of many old school with the take what you can get attitude, who took govenrment jobs where you can go through the motions and then sign off on the steady pension? Posties, hard working, climbing up stairs, dodging my dog? How about an SUV pulling up to the super boxes, throws in a handful of envelopes and heads to Tim Hortons. Bring back the Pony Express please.

Bonnie Drouillard
said
0 0

If not for the Unions, our employee standards would be in the tank!!! No private corporation would offer great pay and full benefits if not to be forced to keep up with trade union standards. I have a feeling that this is all a set to break Unions. Private couriers do not usually make the Top 50 employers in Canada either!!! Lets all go backwards and then complain when nobody will be behind the average worker in Canada and the truly greedy corporations show you!!!!

J Stad
said
0 0

To send in a Bluecross form in the mail by UPS (worried about strike) Cost $20 to send just 1 letter, How is this a better alternative...

Dave in Ottawa
said
0 0

In the immortal words of Frankie Valli "Bye, Bye, Baby, Baby Good Bye" . If they ever come back it shouldl be a far different world for them. This is a great opportunity for the employer to make the necessary changes and modernize both the service and their own mandate.

Melissa
said
0 0

Most of the customers I deal with are small one-location stores. Payments will likely cease from most due to this.

I agree with fighting for what you believe in but, like in every sector, the technological age is here and will change how most things work. This isn't the only industry that has decreased the wage for entry level employees.

I firmly believe, as done with the TTC, that this should be deemed an essential service. Therefore, no one would be affected.

Postal Worker
said
0 0

I'm not going to discuss the possible strike or the probable ramifications. We all know what they are and none of us are happy about them. I don't want to encourage the trolls.

What's funny, for me, is reading all of the comments from people complaining about the amount of money I make and how great my benefits are as a Canada Post employee, while they work for minimum wage and have few or no benefits.

According to popular opinion I have no marketable skills and do a job that either a 5 year old or a monkey could do. Yes, when you're good at your job, and like what you do, it does sometimes seem "easy" to others. I have a University degree and held down a middle management position for many years in the retail industry before coming to Canada Post as a letter carrier.

I applied to work at Canada Post because of the wages and the benefits. That doesn't make me a bad person or a greedy person. I saw an opportunity and I took it, so I could better support my growing family. I applied for the job, I went through a battery of interviews and testing. I endured many hours of training and almost quit many times. You'd be surprised just how difficult the job of a letter carrier really is. I now work inside in a different position.

My whole point here is to say that if your job isn't as good as mine, there is nothing stopping you from applying to Canada Post. After all, there are no skills or talent required. Last time I checked, CPC had lots of positions available. You can access the database from the Canada Post website, at the bottom, under careers.

www.canadapost.ca

Mark
said
0 0

Chris, sure there is no longer a need for Unions. Like there is no need for jet fighters because war is obsolete in the 21st century. The threat of war has vanished; a pandemic will never resurface, stop all wasted $$ in research, get rid of all the food inspectors because business are all honest and have the consumer interest at heart. You have to be nuts. The reason you get benefits is because the marketplace is competitive. That competition is based upon what others are receiving and that is stimulated by UNIONS. You actually think that you are not disposable? We need UNIONS more than ever now. Now is not the time to lower your guard when everything has gone global.

Jake
said
0 0

Why won't CUPW let their members vote on the final company offer? This strike action is about an outdated union ideology.... and a large number of the members know it. UPS and FEDEX have much lower entry wages than the established employees.... most companies do... Banking sick days for future use was a practise that was acceptable before the days of affordable short and long term insurance... again, outdated and open to abuse, which is probably the companies underlying problem. I'm sure there are real work related issues at Canada Post, but finding solutions to these issues won't come about until the Union joins the 21st Century.

Jean
said
0 0

When I moved to rural manitoba I was panicked to hear that I would only get mail three times a week. After a year, I realize that once a week would be enough. Snail mail is a dying service (there was a 17% reduction in mail over the last year). It is always hardest for the people delivering a service to acknowledge they are in a soon-to-be extinct method of communication conveyance. If I worked for Canada Post I would be retraining now and not after the fact. That would be the smart thing for the union to do instead of fighting for moot causes.

It's what it is
said
0 0

One day the posties will strike, and no one will ever notice. We'll get less of those ridiculous and wasteful partisan Conservative mailings, less junk mail altogether, and more efficient and progressive delivery businesses can handle the load that seems to trouble Canada Post time over and over and over... Bunch of whiners. Be glad you have a job - a high paying job with benefits coming out of your wazoo!

Laura
said
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In my opinion, unions are outdated! They are full of people that are looking for any excuse to sit home with their feet up because they aren't "getting paid enough". Have a look at the wages union people bring home....maybe they should try making a living on minimum wage like some people. Then they may have something to whine about.

Homer J
said
0 0

I spent this morning transferring everything I did with the mail serices to electronic invoicing and payment. The only thing the Postal Service will deliver in the future to me is junk mail which goes in the recycling anyway....I no longer need the Post Office for anything. Goodbye forever.

Macho Man Randy Savage
said
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It's not 1950 anymore Canada Post workers....

Sorry to say you're going to be fighting an uphill battle on this one, thanks to a little thing called the internet.

Evy
said
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Unions should be ABOLISHED throughout this entire country. Just because a person has a hire date in the union does not make them a good employee. Lets get the right person for the right job, rather than having people secure in jobs, when they get complacent in their jobs. See it everyday, and its not fair to the people that really want a good job. Abolish them now.

Jason
said
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I'm in the same boat and agree entirely with you Chris!

Muffy - Montreal
said
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Yes, the Canada Post workers' jobs are physically demanding, but the starting pay at 23$/h??? I work as an assistant manager in a VERY busy bistro cafe and sell coffee in bulk and I only get paid 11$/h. The waitresses work their butts off for minimum wage and their jobs are physically demanding as well, especially during "terrasse season".

There 2 types of workers: those who appreciate that they do have a job and are very hardworking...and those who have a job and complain about every single thing about it. Think of those who are trying to get full time jobs with a college degree and are stuck working as a floor clerk or cashier at the pharmacy.

Appreciate what you have.

Jessica
said
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This can be a very bad thing! I hope this gets settled! and canada post doesnt privitize! canada post made 16 BILLION dollars last year that was handed to our canadian government for programs. without that money I bet our taxes will be going up and pension/health care will be cut! I am very nervous about this situation! GO CANADA POST WORKERS!! fight for your pension and benifits I stand behind you!!!

Eric
said
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Most posters here seem to be the ones who only use Canada Post to get their bills in the mail. You say you can pay everything on line and do not need postal services. Well this is not the case for myself and many others that depend on Canada Post to ship and receive items for their online small business. Using UPS or Fed-Ex is much more expensive plus additional charges for brokerage. I know this from personal experience. We rely on Canada Post to ship to the US inexpensively. We will lose customers now because it will be to expensive to ship out our small products. I hope this strike gets settled soon so we can get back to the business of selling and shipping our products.

Chris
said
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2cents said, " ...you are either elitist, on welfare or completely unaware or don't care about what these capitalist, soul-less corporations are doing..." We are against unions because this indicates a SOCIALIST agenda!!! You sir, do not understand that unions HAD (hint past tense) their time. In our current times, unions are NO GOOD, THIEVING, LYING, and DOWNRIGHT GREEDY. I have an excellent paying career for a middle class worker. I get fringe benefits, medical, dental, pension plan... ALL WITHOUT A UNION!!! They're just not made for this society anymore!!!

Deke
said
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I completely agree with the right of workers to strike. I also agree with the right of employers to hire replacements who are willing to do the job for less. If Canada Post hires replacement workers, I'll join the line up for one of those well-paid jobs.

Just a thought
said
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You think their overpaid? Hey... Why not take a walk amd go pick up your own mail at the post office? Every day, rain or shine, thru snow or sleet, and then wait in line for your turn to get served.

Ken
said
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From what i see this is a Government run business. I thought Government was trying to get out of it. Anyway any person who thinks unions are not good better think twice. Look in the US The rich are getting richer on you. So should Canadians do the same i think not and hope not. Unions create a balance. Example do any of you know how much the CEO gets paid. And how about there of Springs. Yeah thats what i thought just remember this is our Tax money and as you all Know it's a free for all. I will never trust people who can spend my Tax Money as they wish which is what Canadians do. Groceries, Gas ETC so sad. Anyway al in all we do it.

Unemployed Bum
said
0 0

I'm running downtown with my resume right now!!! Get out of my way!!!

smart
said
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Another thing people don't know/realize and that the union isn't commenting on, is alot of the people that work inside the CPC plants are p.o.'d that the CPC is upgrading the machines, there won't be anymore overtime, and *this* is the cause of a great deal of angst amongst the workers. They count on that overtime, which is costly to the corporation. It's also an aversion & hard time adapting to the necessary change.

And I'm sorry. I see the inner workings of the CPC every couple weeks, other than having to stand, how hard is standing watching a machine process the mail, and then put it in little plastic bins, then the bins into the big metal bins? really? and you're pissed that someone starts a job at $18/hr for that?

A FedEx courier starts at about $17/hr. So that sounds just about right for the marketplace, which CPC needs to also play in.

mydogsyder
said
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If you "use Fedex or UPS instead" - when you call for pickup, you might want to ask "do you deliver it to the door yourself?" Most couriers eventually pass their items to Canada Post for FINAL delivery,,, rural especially. so don't get p*ssed off at Canada Post if you pay for Fedex, in a Fedex box, and it still gets held up because Canada Post is 'the agent' for many destinations....from rural british columbia

Kim
said
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In this day and age, it is not an entitlement to have job security for life. If CUPW workers do want to work, there are many people who are willing to work for less.

mandi
said
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I'm getting annoyed with all the comments regarding how the Canada Post strike will go unnoticed. Or how Canada Post will be defunct and is useless. Are you people forgetting that PARCELS are also delivered? And all the small businesses that rely daily on Canada Post? I know most of you will say "well that's what courier services are for!" BUT... As a small business selling small items, it's not economical for me or my customers to ship with couriers (FedEx, UPS). I will definitely notice, and be hurt by this strike. None of my customers want to pay $18-$25 for courier services for $20-$30 worth of goods.Even though I'm annoyed by the strike, I am on the postal worker's side. Delivering mail is not like taking a walk in a park. Unless you routinely walk for 8-10 hours a day, in all sorts of weather lugging a bunch of letters and parcels behind you. For the amount of money Canada Post charges for shipping ($8-$10 for small parcel within canada), I can't comprehend why they can't treat their employees with a little more respect and human decency. (In retrospect, I guess there's not enough of small business like myself using their parcel services?) Or maybe I'm just biased because my mailman actually has tons of parcels to deliver on his route... It's definitely not just letters and bills!!!!

JG
said
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"To that end, the corporation has proposed a starting wage of $18 for new hires, as well as new pension rules."

$18? Can't be right. Do you mean $18 an hour? $18,000 a year?

Mining guy Jim
said
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Hey 2 Cents...pull your head out of the sand. I am 43 years old and haven't used Canada Post's services in the last 15 years.

mike a
said
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the unions grounds for strike is "" well CP is making money" so "we want our share" and "we will strike,holding Canadians hostage" .Since when do employees set they pay rate?? Since when do employees tell the owners what to do?
As an employer,, i set wages,hours, and time off. If you dont lke it,,beat it!! I pay fair wages,,provide excellent working conditons otherwise the labour or health board would be at my door.If my employees had the ability to set their wage, time off,,i would close and move my business to another country.Just like amy many manufacturers across Canada. Unions straight up cost jobs!! And thse jobs are not coming back
Way to Go Unions!!!!
p.s. most postie walkies are dont by 1pm. And they dont want the strike.Its the union being greedy.THATS A FACT!!!!!

Marc
said
0 0

Thank you for ensuring I don't get any packages delivered until this is all over. Your greed and fear of change has ruined things for many Canadians.I hope the result is a majority of you will be without jobs as our postal system will hopefully become more like the USPS, and we'll actually have mail delivered on weekends and holidays.

Diane
said
0 0

Business is down 17% because of online technology. That is not the fault of the employees so therefore should not be penalized. Most people think it is a cushy job, walking all day and getting paid big bucks. My hubby has been a letter carrier for over 10 years. He has been bitten and chased by pets; fallen down stairs because people don't shovel their walks. His knees ache. Whether it's 30 below or 30 above, he (like other outside workers) is out there doing his job.

Doug
said
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"People have no idea." was a comment by a "postie"; it indicates that they operate in a different world where they are the only ones that work in "bad weather, climb stairs...".
It is said that they can not bargain in the light where they actually understand how they fit in the real working world. If they did they would have and agreement.

Bob
said
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Here's a thought. Sell Canada Post. Let them compete on the open market like all of the other services. It worked very well when the Feds sold Dome Petroleum who then bought the straggling BP line and became PetroCan. Seems to work there.Let Canada Post compete for there daily bread like everyone else. BTW why is CBC permitted to sell commercials when they are financed by us?

Elizabeth, Ontario
said
0 0

I cannot believe the union workers, at Canada Post, would vote to strike. With email, social networking, fax, etc. I can't imagine why anyone uses Canada Post anymore except for parcels. It would just seem irresponsible for this union to walk the picket lines for more benefits/money when their members already earn, on average, more than most Canadians. This could be the end of Canada Post. Good luck guys!

Val
said
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Mostly what we receive in the mail is flyers and junk mail. Don't think the postal strike will affect me.

In Nova Scotia
said
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I think eveyone has the right to fight for a better wage and benifits . I just think you have to consider all of the facts not just your desires . I work for a Trucking company and let me tell you that things are tight. We have had little in increases in the past 4 years becasue of the times . Now you "general public" remember it is difficult to judge a persons job unless you have done the job . You should support anyone who wants a fair salary and benifits package . Remember some of you are in unions and may want support when your time comes..Postal works speak out do not leave everything up to your union management.

Jeff
said
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I don't think people will notice as snail mail is not the preferred choice.

Do you Trust them???
said
0 0

Sounds like one of those situations when the employees show up one morning to Strike only to find out a deal was cut the night before, and it was worse than the one they rejected.

Good Luck!!!

jean-guy
said
0 0

Neither rain,snow,sleet or hail,will keep the postal worker from delivering the mail.Postal services must get through no matter.Guess someone forgot the Postal service commitment of service.The only thing to stop mail is their UNION,and greed.Hope you all enjoy the summer vacation your about to take.How long does your strike pay last,and at how much of your pay check.Figure you got about 6 weeks,of belt tightenning.2 WEEKS of grumping about the bills,and about 4 more weeks of Management.Chocking what is left of your fight before,letting you back too your jobs.And you still won't be any better than before the strike,just a little leaner for now.!!!! YOU STUPID SAPS !!!!

AC
said
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Uh-oh, this is not good news for us. If the letters don't move, we don't get paid... Hmmm... more layoffs?

Mike
said
0 0

Lock them out and privatize the postal service.

Dino
said
0 0

Unios have to go, they don't help they just make things worse for the rest of us

robin hood
said
0 0

The Corporation giveth and the Corporation taketh away! See CARP in corporations! A twenty pounder wasn't it?

Robert
said
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I have noproblems at all with a strong union that works for the benefit of its memeber: decent wages, a certain amount of job security, etc. However, the very idea of going out on strile because an employee will not be able to accumulate sicke leave??!! How stupid is that? I don�t get any days for sick leave, and if I don�t work I also don�t get paid.
If there are legitimate concerns that are not being resolved through collective bargaining, then yes, go on strike. But if you go out over something like sick leave, then, it is time to stop eating those funny mushrooms and to get a firmer grip on reality.

Kathy
said
0 0

I can't believe how much whinning there is about the job - it's hard, there are stairs, there is snow....get another job then! What - not qualified for anything else, then do what you are paid for (where you lied to about what the job entailed?)and shut up already!

You took the job, you were told what the job was, and you get paid. Suck it up or move on! Enough already!

JoJo38
said
0 0

Time to run like a real business Canada Post.If your volumes/revnues are down, time for a big layoff and possibly services changes.To me, it's time to lay off a significant amount of your workers and reduce ongoing costs. As well, based on the decreased volume of mail flowing through the system, we need to embrance alternate day mail delivery to compensate for a changing world. Business will see some impact here certainly, but every 2 or 3 day mail delivery will still work. From a householder standpoint, I don't think any of us would be fretting if we only received our home mail twice a week. Time for change and broader thinking. I believe the mail volume will be on a downward trend for a while as many companies try to encourage e-billing anyways.

LP
said
0 0

A bad move for a profession that is practically obsolete. It might just prove how truly unnecessary they are. If they are looking for job security they are going about it in the wrong way. The unions in North America are strangling their own people by just trying to justify their existence. Good luck, and I hope you have a profession to come back to.

Ryan
said
0 0

Everyone is focused on your bills but where it really hurts is the small businesses that ship internationally. (Mike a) hit the nail on the head this will cause layoffs and closures as small businesses can't get their product shipped. Also in these times of a horrible economy asking for more is in bad taste as millions out of work, even if its good timing (for you) as it will ruin the government�s attempt at a BC HST referendum.

2Cents
said
0 0

To all you people who are against unions: you are either elitist, on welfare or completely unaware or don't care about what these capitalist, soul-less corporations are doing to North American society. These corporations are 100% making the rich richer and the poor poorer. Unions help balance this gap by sharing the wealth more equitably between the company and the workers who helped them earn this money.
You people should do a quick search on "effects of rich and poor gap".
Postal workers are outdoors in all weather conditions carrying mailbags, climbing stairs, dealing with your annoying barking dog.
Why would society want "these people" out of work? What is the benefit of having more unemployed workers?
Canada Post is hiring. If you are jealous of the salary and/or think it's easy work...just apply ! Join 'em if you can't beat 'em. But there may be an entrance exam, and by the spelling I've seen in the comments, A LOT (2 words) of you may not pass.

chantal
said
0 0

well I for one, am stuck using Canada Post. As an owner of an online business (yarn shop), I have no choice to use CP. This strike will really cost my business alot of $$ in lost sales. I would love to be able to use UPS as an alternative, but it is hard to justify to a customer that they have to shell out $25 in shipping for a few balls of yarn. As much as I hate it, CP is still the cheapest alternative.

Jake in Burlington
said
0 0

Canada officially no longer has any use for Canada Post, its Union, and unfortunately its workers. They signed their own pink slips.

John
said
0 0

Outsource the entire operation to US Postal Service. They do it better than we can, and I'm pretty sure with the recession going on down there, they can do it cheaper too.

ChestyLaRue
said
0 0

I would sure like to know what McDonalds I can get work at for $18/hour, as the union rep said you can. *rolls eyes*

Must be nice to have a job where you can make that kind of money (while some people on this site don't think it is much, it is a hell of lot more than the average Canadian can make). Only after 2 years of service did even come close to making what they start at.

That being said, it should be the higher-up bureaucrats taking the cut, but as usual, the guys on the front line are the ones expected to give up the wage while I'm sure the CEO (or equivalent) is still making hundres of thousands.

Culle Ayde
said
0 0

To Maria: "121 quit when first fired..."How many times can you get fired? Also how can you quit when you are fired?

Paul
said
0 0

I wish people would just do a job they are paid to do. Due to this front page issue, over the last 6 weeks I have taken all but 2 billers and switched to electronic billing. If I could, I would like to convert the last two and then opt out of mail service. I for one vote for every second day or third day for delivey.

Ronald Eckstein
said
0 0

I used to receive payments for my work by mail. I liked getting a real cheque! I resisted years of requests to switch to automatic direct depositing. I signed up for automatic direct deposit today. Pat yourselves on the backs unions for shooting yourselves in the foot yet again.

Stefan in Vancouver
said
0 0

CUPW obviously doesn't see their industry as a failing relic in the same way the majority of posters are.Whether they have a better understanding of their importance or just have theirs heads buried in the sand isn't for me to say...But I'll say this: if a nonessential service is suspended long enough, people will begin to make do without it. Suspend it long enough and people will forget why they ever needed it in the first place.In 'crippling' the economy by refusing to move the mail, CUPW may wake the nation into realizing how unimportant physical mail has become.

Fran
said
0 0

I can't help but think that this situation has been another carefully strategized plan by the government to "divide and conquer" and be able to get rid of yet another Crown Corporation and see more privatization. Even the rate hikes in January lead me to feel this way. Canada Post rates are so high for parcels that they threaten any small or large business that depends on the postal system, and forces them to look for other options such as UPS. It is hard to believe this wasn't part of their strategy. While I'm not terribly pro union, I think the unions still have an important part to play. Encouraging more privatization appears like an all out war against the unions.

Maureen
said
0 0

I can really see both sides. I don't agree with the person that said unions aren't necessary because employee's are treated well now as opposed to years ago - you must be lucky, as I and many other non-union employees would disagree and if it weren't for the union movement years ago, we non-unionized would be treated even worse. I also know unionized employees that aren't treated well, as most unions don't fight like they should - employers keep cutting away more & more & sadly there are way more people than jobs which makes them abuse thier power. The fact is I think Can Post make good money, but costs keep going up & pay doesn't always reflect it. I really can see both sides, I don't know where I stand. I do know I still need postal service, but will survive for a bit without - they shouldn't be put in a position of having to strike to make headway - union & company should really work something out!

a postie
said
0 0

in a recent release CPC said "...rural communities and seniors who rely on mail service to deliver their pension cheques will be particularly hard hit by a strike." CPC failed to mention they wish to eliminate service in some rural communities; and, CUPW will deliver pension and other gov't cheques (for those provinces who accepted the agreement)
i find CPC's concern (in their release) for seniors amusing as the new low-cost housing in BC for seniors and persons with disabilities been given group mail boxes at the street instead of delivery to the building

Karen
said
0 0

Starting salary of $23 and carry over sick days, what is to fight? Take what you have and get to work!!!!!If someone doesn't think that $23 an hour isn't good pay they need to talk to people who make far less than that. Most companies that are $3B in debt lay people off or most likely close!!!Get real

Maria
said
0 0

As a wife of a postie, I attended the union meeting and I found out that last year's profit was over 200 million, so there is no excuse for removing the benefits such as pension and sick leave. Their job is extremely hard and dangerous. 121 quit when first fired because they could not cut the mustard. Economically, it's all relative.

Mail Fail
said
0 0

There is no question that the mail industry is in the down side. E-bill, E-payment, we are still too early to say that the E-Post is going to fully replace regular post, but. The strike will help speed up the process, if they do decide to proceed.

For the last couple weeks, I already seen many smaller companies that I am dealing with, changing to e-invoice. Banks offer EFT services that's even cheaper than a stamp, and credit card companies are pushing for users.

Therefore, a strike may cause problem early, but people will soon be looking for alternative. If people are used to the e-services that's free as long as you have internet, what's the likelihood that they will change back to regular mail?

I believe my points are nothing new and it's facts that everyone is aware of, including the people in the Canada Post union, and that's the reason that they are trying to strike for a better, secured and longer term deal for their own benefit.

Knowing that the industry is close to the end, yes, the strike may help you-the workers who all know that your jobs will not last long in the industry, to get paid for the contract term, but what are you going to do after this contract?

If you are all succeed in your selfish act, secured your pays with the threat to strike to all Canadian to pressure the government, with continuous decline in mail, workers will be doing nothing and still get paid.

It will be more wisely to work with the company to make transition instead of exhaust the company's resource so that both can survive, otherwise, it won't be long for both Canada Post and the union to go down together.

Mark
said
0 0

Postal employees don't make asmuch as ppl think. If anyone is jealous about their wages then go and get a job at the post office. You will soon realie tht its not as easy living as you lower income ppl think. Anyways im sure that the managers can take asmany sick days as they want. You all would fight to keep what you have wouldn't you? Posting neagtive comments only shows that you are the unemployed loosers who have nothing better t do then to complain about the working person. But atleast you will still be getting your welfare checks.

BUbba: Wake up and smell the stamp glue!!!
said
0 0

Well last night I moved ALL my bills to e-Bills, so Canada Post is no longer in my business. I am among the nearly 10 M of Canadians who will be doing this in the next few days.

Here's the effect of this. I have 10 regular bills. Postage for these per year is about $70 .

So just the risk of a strike has just cost Canada Post about $700M dollars. It makes you wonder about the brain trust at Canada Post Management?? These guys should settle immediately, or risk bankruptcy!!! Oh, and no one really cares if they go bankrupt.

Then there's the union. Settle guys, or lose your jobs permenantly. Canada Post will soon be bankrupt, and you guys out of work. Sorry, I'd like to support you. I even know that the relationship between managament at Canada Post, and the people who work there is acetic at best, and it's their fault, not yours. They treat you terrible. Still, you have no leverage, and you'll lose in any strike. There are alternatives, and postal is like passe. Wake up and smell the postage glue.

Max
said
0 0

CUPW should evaluate the "financial health" of the crown corporation. The Conservative Majority Government will do whatever it takes to stop its bleeding when Canada Post was at 3.2 billion in negative earnings. Keep in mind crown corporations are profit driven, not like the other Federal Departments to provide services to Canadians.

Mikey
said
0 0

Hey posties, have you noticed how little public support you have? Time to read between the lines and understand how little sympathy the average person has for you. For you to want to strike during these economic times is farcical at best.

surprised :Hamilton
said
0 0

Is the postal union actually saying that sick leave provisions in the contract are the sticking point?? Really? How many workers nowadays have this sick leave: you don't come to work, you don't get paid. These are mostly retail and part-time, granted, but jobs none the less. Another statement has been that the new employess should get the same conditions as the grandfather clause workers: not so fast, times change, and your service is one of the most dramatic changers. Wake up, union folks, the taxpayers won't keep paying for big soft expensive cushions for you to land on! You need a dose of reality, and this strike/new contract may just be it.

Marie
said
0 0

I have done most jobs at Canada Post (excluding management positions) and it is not as easy a job as people seem to think. It can be very physically demanding and frustrating at times. That being said, I for one am fine with accepting the new sick leave that CPC is offering, and am surprised to find out that the union is holding out on that in particular when, from what I have heard from other posties, most are willing to accept it. The union needs to have a consultation with their members. The picture has changed since they voted to strike a couple of months ago. But the public does need to realize that many of the benefits they have in the private sector came about because of the CUPW union (maternity leave, for example), so they benefited all of Canada, not just union members.

billy
said
0 0

it used to be that people were thankful for any job and of course there were complaints as in any job but when it comes down to it a job is better then no job. We have become a nation of whiners and dont see beyond the "me" factor anymore.

Angie
said
0 0

A lot of unions I see (including the one my husband and father work for) carry a lot of dead weight, because of an over abundance of 'job protection' and union 'rights' and 'protocol.' There is no incentive to improve or work harder, and sick days are abused and taken regularly, just because they can. Our grandfathers fought for unions because of severe cnditions in the work place and I do think they are needed. Unfortunately, people today seem not to care or grasp the underlying need for a union because they don't really have to deal with that. Its all about PRIVILEGES, not RIGHTS but they don't get that.

I have parcels coming in from the US regularly via Canada Post. There is no option to use a different company and I don't like the idea of my money sitting in a warehouse for who knows how long because someone doesnt want to start work for $17 instead $24. Aww, muffin! Get over yourselves and stay at work!

Ryan
said
0 0

The only good thing that will come from this strike is that at least for a few days/weeks, I won't be receiving any junk mail to sort through.

Troy
said
0 0

As the owner of a small business, it is incredibly frustrating that Canada Post is about to go on strike over sick days. I sell furniture, art and accessories online and most of my sales are to the US. A strike is going to seriously paralyze my business. In my experience, and others have echoed it here, urban post offices are inefficient and dated. One can get much better service at the independent outlets in places such as Shoppers Drug Mart or Card Stores. For example the postal counter at a nearby 7-11 is open every day. The closest real post office is only open M-F and closes at 5:45. Canada Post needs to make its operating system more efficient and consumer friendly. Outsourcing and closing huge empty post offices are a step in the right direction.

just me
said
0 0

My hubby is a postie, one of the better ones. He is surrounded by not so shining examples at work. There's the guy who gets an "injury" every May, and has to go on disability until September...EVERY YEAR !!! The guy who takes a couple of hours in the middle of every work day to stop off at the gym to work out and have a swim. The guy who doesn't deliver on any Fridays in the summer. Your mail goes into the trunk of his car and gets delivered on Monday. The guy who has a bottle of rye in the car and drinks his way through his route. The guy who decides which flyers and direct mail you get, and which he throws in the garbage. The list is endless. These people should be axed !

Errric
said
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At Michelle: "their pay is not that good, their benefits are not that good"...
How do you figure? These people are mail carriers, not open heart surgeons. How much do they want to deliver mail.. A job in which requires no schooling. Benefits aren't that good..At least you have benefits. What about the other 95% of the population that doesn't have them. How is the pay not that good? They could hire non-unionized workers to work for half the pay. Union greed is all too popular these days. Seems to be either corporate greed(wal-mart) or union greed(i.e. this case). There has to be middleground-- no greedy-ness on either side.

Annelise Bork
said
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Postal Strike
As an Ebay seller, a strike will put me out of business in an instant. I've checked other mailing services such as Purolator and FedEx to see how much it would cost to mail my small envelopes (25x15cm) to the USA. The cost for the least expensive way is between $20 and $23. Canada Post charges me $2.67 for the similar service which means many of my USA customers get their envelopes within a week, something the private companies guarantee.
I think we have an excellent deal with Canada Post and in 3 years, I have had no complaints about their services.

Vince
said
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Look what the Unions have done for the teachers out here in Alberta. I bet there's a lot of laid off teachers wishing they didnt get so greedy now. HAHA! Looks like Canada Post union employees are headed in the same direction. I say privatize the whole works and be done with it. It seems to me Union people ack a lot more deserving than common folk.

Tina in ALberta
said
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Hey Mr./Ms JD (below)! I have family who live on the other side of the country. It takes usually two weeks for them to recieve a piece of mail when the postal service is operating five days a week. Plus how many people have to send items to another country....how long do you think that takes?!?! We need more than 2 days! I consider myself a thoughtful person and like to send personal cards made by my children to their grandparents for their birthday or the "perfect" gift for loved ones that I spent a lot of time trying to find. So you, send your e-cards to your loved ones and the people who like to send something a little more thoughful, tangible and personal to our loved ones will use the postal service. I feel this service is still needed very much! If you don't use this service, why are you even talking?!?! Save your complaining when the email/internet service is threatened!

Annie
said
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On my job, I am constantly pushed to ensure that we are working towards 100% efficiency with the ever changing technology world. "It always has been done that way" does not pay the bills. Canada Post must change, must update and I'm sorry if that changes some existing jobs, but you need to realize that many of us in the world have had to adapt, alter and acquire skills if we want to work. If Canada Post doesn't, we all bear the financial burden of an outdated system.

Ron
said
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I don't see why the Union & government cannot find a way for a new contract. As a retired union man I do sympathize with the union. If the sticking point really is sick days I'm sure with give & take on both side's it should not be a major obstacle. A strike will hurt the union as more & more people are paying bills on line & emailing. It will force more people to do the same thing thus the public will be using the mail less.

de havilland
said
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Canada Post, the union and workers - wake up, you are the last surviving dinosaur to fight technology - it's here and you better get used to it. Didn't Canada Post threathen to strike sometime in the '80's because of a shortage of toilet paper in their washrooms? I don't get sick days, I don't get respect from my employer, I don't have a union to do my talking for me AND I DON'T get $24.00 an hour. Gone are the days of having one job all your life and complete job security - we all have less than perfect jobs, the TTC busdrivers have to work a split shift - work 4 hours, 4 hours off and go back to work for another 4 hours, try doing that while you work in Toronto and live in Barrie. Canada Post employees have had it too goo for too long - THE GRAVY TRAIN STOPS HERE AND NOW!!!

DJ
said
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The best route I ever did had 650 stairs a day. The worst over 3500, in every kind of bad weather imaginable. A route these days takes between 8 and 10 hours to complete and getting worse with the modern post. We have supervisors with no experience in the job but think they know more than you.We get safety talks from the same supervisors, heres an example, "How to wash your childrens hands". The issue is sick days. In my job I can get sick alot or your body is just broken down from working so hard and you get run down. When any of you get sick you can usually tough it out through the day. I'm on the street with no bathroom so I have to call in sick. A lettercarrier job is one of the toughest jobs to do in this country. Eight of ten new LC's quit in the first year and another bunch don't make it through training. That tells you something about this "dream" job. What I want to know is why so many people want less decent paying jobs in their community? Think before you write. If we go down, so will you.

Frankemm
said
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Canada Post becomes a little less relevant with each passing year,they refuse to recognize that technology is turning them into the equivalent of modern day dinosaurs.

Erin McKibbon
said
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Dear Canadians
Please open your eyes to the big picture the global picture. Italy, France other countries have also had a decline in letter mail. They did not attack the starting wages the pension packages nor the sick leave of their workers. They did want Canada Post Corp. CPC has done and is doing. They brought in many other technology services to continue to bring in revenue. Canadians do you understand that if you lose the jobs of the CUPW and other union workers in CPC you will lose jobs for your children and grandchildren. I work for CPC within the CPAA union the rural post office union. We are a non striking union and CPC has stripped us of the things CUPW are fighting to keep. Basically at CPC yes the starting wage is fair and that is it fair. Working for CPC is no walk in the park working in plants working in weather working with the public working with managers postmaster superintendents area managers this is a stressful industry. CPC has too many people managing a work group that has declined over the years and will continue to decline. In our office alone we lost 3 full time jobs 3 in a small community. These are jobs that will never be there for the children of the future. This government company is stripping little by little the few decent jobs. Do we all want to work for min. wage. Canada Post Corp. has been making profits for 16 years the decline in letter mail is not the issue. They are greedy! They are going after the aging workers. Watch out Canada you don't want to go private. There is not a country in the world that has a secure private postal system. Wake up Canada PEACE

jon
said
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its time to get rid of all the greedy unions , unions are the cause of all the labour problems

Anthony in Halifax
said
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The point of striking is that, by withholding your labour, the public will generate enough response to force the employer to do something. That may have worked years ago, but CUPW needs to catch up to this present age: I'm well into retirement, and I've learned to use the Internet for banking, getting bills, paying bills, communicating with family - instantly, not after waiting literally days for some CUPW person to put down the coffee cup lomg enough to do something. I recently received an Xpress letter from Toronto which was mailed on March 4th: it arrived here (Halifax) in April 15th - I guess they meant PONY express. So - do I care about not receiving mail in my mail-box? Not bloody likely - I'll stay on-line, thanks1

CAB
said
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In reading the comments I find it funny that everyone is talking e-mail for bills. If bills were all I received in the mail that would be fine. Out here in the country UPS doesn't deliver to farm addresses, and you can't get everything downloadable on-line (especially when high speed internet is not easily accessed, believe me I've tried). I still use the mail to add the personal touch when mailing photo's of my little one etc to family and friends. Do I agree with the strike, not really, seeing as I would agree that they have a relatively sweet job, but I can't say that I want them to disappear either.

David
said
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Unions are a dinosaur. We needed them 80 years ago when employees were taken advantage of, but this is the 21st century. People are treated very fair in their jobs, and if they don't like how they are being treated, leave. Simple as that. There are a lot of people who would love work for Canada Post at even 20% less than what is currently being paid. Let the employees decide for themselves what is fair.

Barbara
said
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I lost my cumulated sick days way back in 1984 so you are lucky to have had them until now. Give them up, keep your jobs, and forget about a strike.

Victoria

chel in the Peg
said
0 0

@ Mike W - agreed: move on. I work in the private sector. We have no specific number of sick days allowed per year (in other words you can't carry over), but if you're absent for more than 3 consecutive days you need a doctor's note. We also have Short and Long Term disability. Seems fair to me. Banking sick days is a concept best left to police, fire, and medical personnel. Perhaps the perception of "harrassment" stems from employees who have an excessive number of sick days and are being monitored by their employer. I almost feel sorry for union members - as a group they really struggle with change. For those of us in the private sector, change is an absolute - we adapt, and we evolve. If we don't like it, we move on.

W. Ellis
said
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Just remember that some postal workers like the "deal" that is being offered. IN this day and age, we should be happy to have a job, let alone a job with Cananda Post.

Michelle
said
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As the wife of a postie I agree that they need to stand up for their rights. There benefits are NOT that good. There pay is NOT that good. Maybe in the "old days" but it is certainly not like that anymore. Sure there are things that both sides need to compromise on and neither side is totally right but you need to remember if it wasn't for the the threat of unions, non-union work places wouldn't be working at the wages they are now.

A.
said
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Havent they fought for a long time to get what they have today- and to have majority of it taken away?? i dont think that is fair. I totally agree with Rob, fight for what you want and currently have. There is still a ton of people who dont use computers or do email billing- like my self, i like having my bill in the mail. I dont care if i dont recieve my mail, i believe the employees are getting a massive slap in the face. being a mail carrier is not as easy as it seems, I support them 100%. they are morely fighting to keep what they surrently have, in the end the new employees are the ones who wont be gaining anything fron this- they too are loosing.

John
said
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I'm sure a lots of employees do not want to go on strike. I feel sorry for a lots of them. Times are tough. The government will put money in their pocket like usual if they go on strike.

J Moore
said
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What I don't understand is Canada Post says that there has been a 17% drop in the amount of mail being sent. I would of thought with increasing popularity of home shopping through eBay, Amazon, etc that there would of been an increase. Doesn't make sense to me.

Ron S
said
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Why is it that all Public Service employees have this grand sense of entitlement to everything ?

How many places can you start out at $23 to $24 per Hour , have a Defined Benefit Pension that can't be cut like Nortel's and others (apparently we taxpayers have pockets that are getting deeper and deeper), and work your way up to 7 weeks of vacation ?

I think it is about time for a taxpayer revolt against providing a life of security and luxury to these Public Employees that are "never" available to those of us in the Private Sector who are paying for it. Let's put an end to this greed and outsource the Mail Sorting and Delivery arms of Canada Post to the Private Sector who can be flexible enough to run a profitable system while compensating employees fairly rather than lavishly.

Thomas
said
0 0

If you think your job doesn't pay you for what you are worth.... QUIT!!

If you are worried about not finding a better paying job after you quited.........

Need I said more?

Gesa
said
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My Passport is in the mail and I'm leaving the country next week...

You'll expect someone who gets $23/hr starting salary to do their job properly and not hold the society hostage for their own gain... unfortunately, not for Canada Post workers

JOYCE
said
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I know many postal worker are cheating by taking extra load and engaging their family members to work for this and get extra money. Incharge never know about this???? So first cleanup this garbage and then sit with them for a solution.

kATHY
said
0 0

There will always be abusers of sick leave and there will always be the Union that sticks up for these people instead of the people that are stuck covering for the people that are at home - not sick!

If you want to reduce costs to a business - stop paying people to stay at home. Of course we are not talking about legitimate illness here. We are talking about "I don't feel like working today" and don't kid yourself - there's a whole lot of that going on.

Where is people pride in a job well done - pathetic!

mario
said
0 0

As a business owner who ships huge amounts of parcels & letters I no longer use Canada useless Post, i switched to the private companies years ago, I use three different companies and have never had any problems.

By using more than one private company I guarantee myself on time delivery all year long..

No longer at the merci of Canada Post...

Its time to make them private as well..

Shaun from Niagara
said
0 0

My small company relies on cheques snailmailed from both the U.S. and Netherlands - direct deposit or wires are not an option. I would like to thank the postal unions for potentially placing my business at risk in the event of a strike action. Not that it would matter to the postal employees, of couse - that would involve them thinking of someone other than themselves and their own greed. Sick days, benefits and sweet wage are luxuries I don't personally have. Time for this Crown corporation to finally bite the dust. I'm tired of seeing my money wasted on an entity that threatens the security of my company's income.

mike a
said
0 0

well there goes 40% of my business.I dont have an alternative to get my product overseas.Today im laying off 2 employees. I have over $2000.00 in product still in Canada that will not move when the strike hits.Ill be compensating my customers for these delays if not in full.Ill have to move to Fedex @ much higher shipping rates,,mostly absorbed by us.High shipping rates is a deterant for potential customers.
Basically im loosing over a huge chunk of my small business.Im not sure who the union is at war with, me or CP.
This will kill my business and many others across the country.
The mail was something we could rely on.I feel im being held hostage.
Good luck Posties,,ill never look at you as anything more than thieves.Ill never get back the many thousands of dollars im poised to loose.With a family to feed it simply makes me sick!!!!

Ben
said
0 0

Whiners!!! - I am self-employed - no sick days - no holiday pay - no benefits - no pay unless I work. I find my own work and solve my own problems. It must be nice to complain and try to hold the general public hostage for you personal issues. There is only one thing that must be remembered - no one cares anymore and I hope that you do go on strike as it will only turn more people against you as opposed to for you. The whole concept of Canada Post is outdated and has outlived it's usefulness. When you all lose your jobs you can try and survive in the real world like the rest of us!!

Mike
said
0 0

48000 starting wage 23 per hour not including medical, dental, retirement, sick days holidaysFIRE ALLeveryone at walmart, timmys, etc would jump at a 15.00 starting rate with a benefit package, savings, 8 per hour x 48000= 348,000 x 8 =3mil plus day savings or over $1 billion per year!*That could buy 1000 MRI Machines*Could create create 33000 new 30k a year jobs*Fund a hot lunch program in the school system grades 1-6Endless what you can do with the savingsBe Happy with what you have and not what you don'tLife is short live it everyday

Annoyed
said
0 0

Fire them all and give their job to people who deserve it. This is blackmail and the victims are the citizens. My letter carrier takes it upon himself to take Mondays off and when I tried to find a phone number or email contact on Canada Post's website to report it, they were nowhere to be found. Enough is enough, do your work or quit. That's what the rest of us do when we're not happy with the pay and can't change it, move on. Why are they so special?

Postal Worker
said
0 0

What is unknown to some people is that Canada Post makes almost 300 million/year. This allows the post office to pay approximately 60 million in dividends to the federal government. THEREFORE WE DO NOT RELY ON TAX PAYERS MONEY TO OPERATE (No money comes from your pocket to run Canada Post).Through the employees hard work Canada Post contributes to the country financially. This is a big cash cow for the government and they are using a bad economy to get public support when in fact they have not been negatively impacted in the financial sense. Canada Post does not want to give credit to the workers for making this corporation so profitable. They basically want to take most of our benefits away (which are not comparable to other government jobs which are support by your tax dollars). and the other thing they want to do is to pay new hires $15,000/yr less than existing employees to do the same work. That is just not fair in my books.THERE IS LOTS OF POLITICS HAPPENING HERE AND MANY ARE LINING THEIR POCKETS WITH THIS COMPANY BUT ARE NOT WILLING TO SHARE ANY OF IT WITH THE WORKER

David Fraser Nanoose Bay BC
said
0 0

It seems to me that in this day and age, people should be happy they even have a job, especially one that is over paid and under worked. I have know postal employees who have finished their route and are home by two in the afternoon. To call a strike because of "sick days"does not sit well with all those people currently out of work. It shows a lack of common sense by the postal union.

IslandGuy
said
0 0

Strikes and lock outs are an old way of solving disputes. If the union and employer cannot find agreement after 6 months, I think that a mediator should be appointed with a binding solution within 30 days. Kind of like two children who need mom or dad's wisdom to solve their problems .No strike...no lockout...work continues. In this way neither you or me or our families pay the price for the rigidity of the union or the employer.

stuart
said
0 0

i dont really recieve many bills by mail anymore. I do most of everything online. The only bank i know that does not have online billing is the TD. they still send their credit card and line of credit statements by mail and waste tons of trees. its really annoying. Anyhow, I really think the post office should either cut down mail to maybe 2 times a week or they should not deliver mail door to door, but rather like in the new areas have a pickup location that each residential house has a key to their own box. I dont believe this is a very expensive way of saving money.

Dean in Abby
said
0 0

Shut it down completely and start a new service. Then we will see all the greedy union whiners crying about how they thought management was kidding. They will cry for their cushy jobs and wonder what happened to them. The union MANAGEMENT should be asked why they get paid so much when all they seem to be able to do is demand more from an already overpriced system. It's no wonder the mail service is getting smaller by the day. If the strike goes ahead, there will be a lot of posties out of work due to even less volume to be delivered. I guess the union MANAGEMENT will still have a job but will probably DEMAND job security for the sheep they lead. How can you ask for job security if there isn't a job? If you don't work efficiently, the company needs to replace you and get someone who will work that way and who doesn't feel "entitled" to a job. No support here for the union.

simon
said
0 0

who hoo better chance for UPS to get ahead.soon canada post will be a thing is of the past.this strike will give companies more incentive to go by epost witch mean less human jobs when they are back from strick . so canada post union do you think your strike makes sence after hearing this?keep up the good work union lolas you can see there is not many unions left in this world companies are smart now a days and stay away from unions they only cause the world greif.

Joan
said
0 0

I have 3.. yes three sick days a year and if I need more than that.. I have to use vacation days and if I don't use them I lose them

There are alot of people who would love to work and have the perks postal employes have.. pensions, etc

Get a life postal workers!!!

spazz
said
0 0

roflmao when i get my mail the first stop is the recycle bin to get rid of unwanted junk mail .there is sometimes a surprise check but most of that stuff is direct deposit and bills come electronically so strike if you like you are only hurting yourselves times have changed

John A
said
0 0

Let them go on strike, fire the works and start fresh with green personnel, it certainly wouldn't be any worse. Sick and tired of being held hostage by a bunch of whinnie, spoiled brats who think that the world owes them a living and then making that same living off of the backs of the people they are holding hostage.

scott nova scotia
said
0 0

I mailed a letter today. I have faith it will work out. If it does not, atleast no junk mail for awhile.

C. Bryce Code, esq., Calgary
said
0 0

Who gets "sick days" in the real world. It is like paid vacation. What a disgrace. They are lucky they have a job. The age of cushy, slack jobs is long gone and Canada Post's Union remains stuck in the good ol' days.

dddd
said
0 0

Postal workers should be happy they have a job, once they go on strike more and more people will pay there bills online and Canada post will be losing alot of income and have to lay people off, so now maybe they should just do there job and be happy they have a job!!

Howard in Brampton
said
0 0

As a small business owner, the effect of a postal strike results in severe cash flow interruption. The idea of my business and every other, being held hostage by a Union management that cannot seem to evolve with the changes in technology and communications is intolerable. So now, like so many others, I am setting up electronic funds transfers with both my customers and vendors. This is a one-way move and I will never again rely on "Snail Mail" for anything other than sending and receiving Governmental correspondence. Anything else is too important to risk a loss in business confidence. If other business owners are like-minded, and I'm certain they are, then the Post Office and their Unionized members will eventually fade into the redundancy of delivering junk mail. I don't think that there will be sufficient volumes to maintain current staffing levels, and the Union will lose many more jobs.

KC
said
0 0

I'd fire them all, and hire people that actually want to work & appreciate having a job!

northern
said
0 0

Many people in larger communities are not impacted by this strike. But what about the rural communities that rely on postal services to deliver many products, food etc. Sometimes I think many people from Southern, Ontario may not realize the importance of this service to rural communities since many of their services are right there. However, the reality is that the postal service is declining in bigger centers and with this often comes cutbacks.

Paul ~ Kitchener
said
0 0

Its to expensive, have you tried to send a small parcel lately, the postage is double the cost of the small item. Thje Government should sell this off to "Free Enterprise", and then watch the cost to operate come down, & without a "Crippling Union". "WE DON"T NEED THIS DEPARTMENT TODAY" !

Robby
said
0 0

Well i also know a postie who got THROAT CANCER and needed his sick days which he earned in the last 20 years of working at CP,SO,that being said SOME PEOPLE DO NEED IT SO RELAX!

Ian Ottawa
said
0 0

Contract the services out and delivery once a week with no pension plan or worrying about sick days we the tax payer's will save. Those that want additional services then call a delivery services.

Saoirse from Edmonton
said
0 0

The union has to take into account the economy in today's world, and the fact that many people are using electronic forms of communication. I find the postal service where I live to be very unreliable to begin with. The union and workers are asking for too much. It is just not feasible to be asking for what they are. If a strike does occur, I think the government should make it a top priority to force the postal service up and running again. Postal workers have very good jobs with good pay, benefits, and a pension; a whole lot more then many other Canadians can say in the current economy. It boils down to this: Postal workers are just being too greedy!So go ahead, postal workers, go on strike. Show your fellow tax payers how little you value your job in an economy where a lot of people would consider themselves lucky to be working for minimum wage. And show us, too, how little you value our business....because if you do go on strike and disrupt services, it's doubtful you will get that business back once the strike is over.

Kelly
said
0 0

This is becoming a paperless world really fast. The UK is already getting rid of checks in favor of electronic transfers.

The simplicity of sending things by e-mail and using a courier for anything that must be original hard copy or shipments.

As one poster said, all I'll miss is the piles of wasteful junk mail I receive.

The financial situation of Canada Post is dire. I saw an article stating they were at 3.2 billion in negative earnings and this plan the union wants will cost another 1.5 billion per year. There is a better way to handle mail, and definitely a better way to spend 1.5 billion of taxpayers dollars.

Ron
said
0 0

OMG ! Canada Post please come to an agreement-otherwise I have to go "cold turkey"-as I will not be able to get any zip.ca movies through the mail, and I am in the middle of an extremely hit series.Please Please

stephanie
said
0 0

why are these people so greedy !! by law it is only 5 sick days a year and doesn't get carried over.. my old postman had 6 weeks holidays a years.. and they are complaing about more sick days this is ridiculous and I think they should hire other people who would appreciate the benefits they have which is way better then what we non government job people have...

Gordon
said
0 0

Postal Workers wake up!
I'm feed up with public employees getting fat deals. I hope this strike goes on for a while and they end up settling for less than the current CP offer. The world doesnt work the way this Union see's things any more.

Ian
said
0 0

The comments posted are in general right on the money. For years the postal system has been less than efficient and to soem extent teh workers themselves corrupt by selling time to others in order to book off for the day. Do they not think that this does not go unnoticed.

They also have to understand that the electronic age is here and thriving. I get 90% of my bills on line and pay 95% that way so personally I have no need for the postal system.

I also question the amount of time it takes to get mail from one city to another. In the US, I can send mail from Burlington, Vermont to Houston, Texas with it getting there in three days which we could only dream of in Canada. On top of that, the mail cost in the US is much lower than here in Canada. Yes they are losing money, however they are taking steps to bring things back in line.

Perhaps if things are really out of control with the postal union, we should look at going to a universal green box system where the mail is deposited at the end of each street and we go there to retrieve it. I bet that would cut down on overall costs immensely and then there would be justification for postal workers to drive the vans. Afterall, they do today and drive them up and down every street in my area and that costs lots of money.

The final solution could in fact be to privatize the service and as one said, I am sure we could find enough workers to do it at $9.50 an hour.

Time to get this straightened out before things get too far out of control.

ME
said
0 0

" The union says a key sticking point is sick leave for employees."

Except what everyone doesn't realize is unions don't have a mandate to negotiate anything other than salaries.

Typical union rhetoric!

Postie
said
0 0

People have no idea. If you had a choice for a better working condition wouldn't you fight for it? This new postal transformation has mail carriers in Winnipeg delivering mail until 8-9 at night, this was in the winter, so imagine delivering mail in the dark, in Winnipeg, in the winter. We are fighting for safer working conditions that stem from this postal transformation. Canada Post sure I agree needs to make some changes but these changes need the "heard" input from the front line workers, not the pencil pushers. ******to Ed we are NOT paid from the government. Canada Post earns its own money we are in no way paid from the government.*****Canadians also need to realize that we serve all of Canada everyday. So for the bad stories you have encountered within your community, there are many good stories within communities as well. Have a nice day.....

Alan
said
0 0

Welcome Mr Chopra, 5 months into your new job as CEO of Canada Post and we get a strike. So it is hard ball. The unfortunate thing here is the lack of acknowledgement that postal delivery is a dying breed like the milkman. Superboxes, reduced post office units, fewer mail boxes, the internet have all contributed to the public finding alternate means for their mail services.Obviously with reduced newspaper deliveries you have gained from increased flyer delivery to help support the effort. Just what are the plans. Has Canada Post shared them with the Union. Has the Union just chosen to bury its head in the sand and not acknowledge the changing times. What has Canada Post done to be creative to perhaps see the letter carriers as an opportunity as a service group and perhaps resist the tide. In these times I am sorry but this whole process seems so archaic and does no one any good so please Mr Chopra show us you are a CEO with vision. Unfortunately with a strike there are no winners, only losers.The public, that would be your customers,deserves and expects more.

Don
said
0 0

What the public doesn't know and Canada Post has purposely failed to mention is that they are currently in the process of a total Postal Transformation. This transformation will allow them make the necessary cost reductions in order to remain competitive in the future. This tranformation was started to offset increasing cost and mail volume reductions. Plus, Canada Post want to reduce union member benifits and wages. Basicly they want their cake and eat it too - while making it sound like the union is being unreasonable.

Anne
said
0 0

Strikes are pretty futile, you never get back what you lost in wages. Sick leave is a big part of this dispute, Canada Post wants to terminate it in favour of 7 personal days, or something like that. Perhaps if Canada Post management would agree that the employee won't be harrassed, have medical certificates demanded for a sick day, or be issued a 24 hour notice for being sick (!), perhaps the union could soften its stance as well.

MikeW
said
0 0

Sick leave is the sticking point, thats it. Big deal.I am allowed 5 sick days a year, if they are not used they are gone. Also have short term and long term disability. The postal employees should recieve nothing more than this.Move on

David
said
0 0

I know a postie who is totally against the strike - she states that it is totally wrong for people to carry over their sick days, and she knows far too many co-workers who take all of their sick leave every year just because they can, not because they are sick....online billing is the way to go...every year less and less mail is hand delivered...think about staying employed instead of striking......

R. E. Lee, Cold Lake
said
0 0

Our town demolished the railroad station years ago. I guess the Post Office Building is next for retirement. Maybe it could be made into a Junk Mail Museum? Maybe not.

Rob
said
0 0

Union go for strike somebody have to fight for rights. I don't care if I do not receive any mails for couple days. If they don't want to give you what you want fight for it!!!

by the way Employment Standards in Alberta are bad. And protect only employers.

They have to change it - to protect employees - because is more employers who cheat then employees who are not doing job right.

Deepak Chopra
said
0 0

By making a soul connection, your true purpose in life will become the foundation of everything you do. -Deepak Chopra

rodster
said
0 0

My DVD are still in the mail, please reach an agreement.

John
said
0 0

Hmmmm, unions eh.
We'll we can always send information, invoices, documents by email....so I guess it won't affect businesses too much. Except maybe when wanting to receive payment....but c'mon guys get back to work!

Gorg
said
0 0

This is never a good thing for either side. Been there done that. Seen B.S. from both sides where I had worked years before. I'd like to say whether you guys, management and labour like it or not, better get your heads together. There's a business to run and work to be done. Better start thinking of your customers. We're the ones paying the shot. So get on with it!

Right Wing Nut Job
said
0 0

I hate to say it, but a strike by Canada Post will simply result in my full conversion to e-post, with all my bills sent to my email box. Not opening my regular mailbox and finding more direct marketing mail than regular mail? It just goes from there to the trash anyway. Electronically, that's what a spam filter is for. This is a dying service unfortunately. A strike, I expect, would not have any real effect. In the past, my blood would boil at a union threatening to strike, but today, I simple feel sorry for the members whose union dues line the pockets of Union Officials far more than provide any member benefit. Good Luck.

Retired Bob
said
0 0

Sick Leave , I know where I worked before getting my 30 Year's & Retiring , they sure attacked us when we we're Sick. Demanding a Doctor's Note for the First Day of Absense. Then not accepting the Medical Note , from your doctor or even a Specialist. They have to consider the Age of their Workforce. My dad was perfectly Healthy when he Retired at 65 , but the 3 of us Boy's have had allot of Medical Issue's , nothing that was within out Control !!! I would have liked to Work another few year's , but with the Job's being Loaded to the Hilt ,most of us take Retirement a.s.a.p. They are Attacking the Older Employee's here , & they have a Commitment they agreed too when these folk's we're Hired , that they are Entitled to Bensfit's, should they Fall ( ill ) !!! Thank You R.D.M.

Jane
said
0 0

If they do go on strike, people who had previously resisted will be forced to sign up for online billing from their utilities. Then when the strike is over, how many will go back to paper? The mail volume will be reduced even more, and Canada post will be in a worst position than before. ... That's just a thought, I know it doesn't cover the whole issue.

JD
said
0 0

48,000 off the Gov payroll............... PerfectWho needs mail 5 days a week. A total waste of money. Have mail delivered through the private sector 2 days a week,

Daphne from Dorset
said
0 0

In small rural communities the post office is the hub where you meet, greet and find out what is new. What will do without Rose our favorite postie.

Lynda
said
0 0

The postal workers earn so much more than many Canadians. Lots of people would be so happy to have any job even at $9.50 an hour - why do they have to be so greedy - what makes them so deserving of anything more than a cost of living increase that a lot of us get. I, for one, am trying to use the Post Office as little as possible - with this kind of work force they are simply not reliable.

KJS
said
0 0

Compared to the benefits and packages offered in the private sector, the postal workers seem to have it pretty good. A strike will only make the economy suffer and cause more people to look at privatization of the post office in a favourable light. Times are tough. Stay at work and be happy you have a job!

Larry F. Sullivan
said
0 0

This Postal Union had better have another look at their value in today's technological world. We have come a long way from night trains where sorters worked to sort mail before then next train stop. The postal service has limited value today and the union's executive should take a trip to the museum and study the history of the dinosaur.

D.K. Lindsay
said
0 0

The union stated that they received no response for their demands from Management except NO. That is a response is it not?

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