Back-to-work law for Canada Post tabled

The federal labour minister says she took a unilateral approach opposed to negotiating because it would have taken too long to form a collective agreement.

CTV Edmonton: Kevin Armstrong on the decision

The Harper Government has tabled back-to-work legislation to end the Canada Post lockout. The labour minister says this was necessary in order to protect those Canadians who rely on mail delivery.

CTV Calgary: Sue French on local reaction

Hundreds of Calgary residents are coming together to protest on behalf of Canada Post workers. One man says it's a direct attack on collective bargaining.

CTV Montreal: Cindy Sherwin with reaction

Locked out Canada Post workers are steaming over the tabling of back to work legislation in Ottawa. Cindy Sherwin reports.

Power Play: Chris Charlton and Rodd Cuzner

An NDP MP says the labour minister produced a bill that wasn't even remotely fair. A Liberal MP says Canada Post is trying to be like industry companies even though it's a federal institution.

Question period: NDP questions legislation

The NDP says the Conservative government wants to turn get involved and force them postal workers back to work when it was the government itself that created the situation between Canada Post and its employees.

CTV News Channel: Jane Taber, Globe and Mail

Jane Taber discusses the back-to-work legislation for Canada Post and explains the concerns opposition parties have with the legislation.

CTV News Channel: Don Martin on the strike

Host of CTV's Power Play, Martin says back-to-work legislation for locked-out postal workers will be tabled Monday afternoon. He says a settlement will be imposed by the government by both sides positions and offers and making a collective bargaining agreement.

Watch: See all Videos in the Player

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`Labour Minister Lisa Raitt speaks with the media about tabling back to work legislation for the Canada Post lockout following Question Period in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Monday June 20, 2011. (Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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I look forward to the return to work legislation so my shipping costs can return to normal. It's been an expensive week!

Craig

Canada Post, union to meet ahead of back-to-work bill

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Back-to-work law for Canada Post tabled

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Mon. Jun. 20 2011 10:19 PM ET

The federal government tabled back-to-work legislation Monday afternoon to end the Canada Post lockout, the second time in a week it moved to end a work stoppage.

Federal Labour Minister Lisa Raitt introduced the bill in the House of Commons, which would have an arbitrator pick one side's offer over the other. The government tabled similar legislation to end a strike by Air Canada employees.

Raitt wants the bill passed within a few days to get the mail moving again. The House of Commons is also expected to rest for the summer on Friday.

However, Canada Post and the union are now talking after an unproductive weekend failed to make any progress towards ending the lockout. Last week, Canada Post suspended urban operations after nearly two weeks of 24-hour rotating strikes by workers.

As Raitt spoke to Parliament, members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) were demonstrating across the country, trying to rally public support to their cause. By Monday evening, they were occupying the offices of Conservative MPs across the country.

Demonstrations are scheduled to continue until Friday.

"We've done everything in our power to achieve a negotiated settlement with as little disruption to the public as possible," Mike Palacek, a postal worker from Vancouver, said in a news release.

"Canada Post's response has been to suspend all of its services, lock us out, and wait for back-to-work legislation."

Raitt said the two sides have had more than enough time to come to a deal.

"It is both parties at the table who are negotiating and have been unable to obtain an agreement," she said.

But the opposition parties say the bill sets a dangerous precedent on the side of employers.

"The government picked sides today," NDP MP Chris Charlton, the party's chief Opposition whip, told CTV's Power Play. "The minister introduced a bill that was very employer friendly. It pretty much said, ‘These are the conditions employers need and we are going to put those into legislation.' We cannot support a piece of legislation that interferes with free collective bargaining."

Liberal MP and labour critic Rodger Cuzner said the government's threat of back-to-work legislation was what caused the lockout in the first place.

"Once (Canada Post) heard that back-to-work legislation was coming for Air Canada, they triggered the lockout and that just tipped the whole field," Cuzner said.

Some critics say the government's quick move towards back-to-work legislation may have some workers wondering about the point of striking.

"It is very much a shift and it is really putting management interests, whether they are government or private, ahead of employees," Laurel Sefton MacDowell, a labour relations historian at the University of Toronto, told The Canadian Press.

"It's very disturbing."

Raitt defends bill

Speaking to reporters after tabling the bill, Raitt said the work stoppage has hurt the economy.

"We're here to put people back to work," she said. "We're acting on the interest of Canadians and the national economy."

If legislation is passed before Canada Post and the union make a deal, employees would return to work and an arbitrator would have 90 days to study the proposals made by both sides before coming up with a final settlement. The arbitrator will pick one of the two offers put forward.

Raitt said the risk of getting a worse deal from binding arbitration instead of a negotiated settlement is "the danger of asking Parliament to settle your dispute."

Raitt said she is open to facilitating negotiations between Canada Post and the union.

Earlier, Jon Hamilton, spokesperson for Canada Post, said the Crown corporation is still hoping to negotiate a settlement with the union before the government steps in.

However, the two sides have failed to gain any ground in recent negotiations, and scheduled face-to-face talks failed to materialize on Sunday.

Canada Post says it has lost $100 million because of the job action.

The New Democrats have signalled their intention to vote against the back-to-work bill, though they will be unable to stop the majority Conservatives from passing the legislation.

Raitt tabled similar legislation last week that would have forced striking Air Canada employees back to work, but the two sides worked out a last-minute agreement before second reading.

Postal workers had been staging rotating strikes across the country since June 3 before they were locked-out.

The Crown corporation has said the main sticking point in the dispute is the union's demand for staffing levels beyond the capability of Canada Post, adding that wages were not the key disagreement.

The union has been emphasizing working conditions and safety issues, as well as arguing that new employees would receive inferior wages and pensions.

Ottawa legislated striking postal workers back to their jobs in 1997, after they were off the job for two weeks. That was the last time the postal workers went on strike.

Comments are now closed for this story

james
said
0 0

the government had not right locking them out when they were still delivering and the government has no right bringing back to work legislation into the situation so early. And Stephen you have no right to try and break the unions. (Why do the everyday people always pay for the mistakes of the rich they created all the mess the world is in and we pay for it?)

james
said
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Lea
said
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I can understand the fact that it's only natural to want to increase your 'benefits' and 'salary' if you really need to... But let's face it, these postal workers already have it PRETTY GOOD!!! I don't think they understand what kind of mess they are putting millions of people through! I mean COME ON...! Thousands of companies rely on the postal service in order to get things across (invoices, etc.) The Canadians are the ones who are suffering! NOT YOU! Postal workers are becoming too selfish by withholding this kind of service to all Canadians!

@ essa
said
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Sorry to hear about your losses. I've never used regular mail for anything important. I can't remember but I believe the feds use Express Post for passports. As for your tickets, you should have popped the extra for a courier. I never mail anything important. Nothing against Canada Post but everybody knows their reputation and lack of caring. That's why courier companies exist in the first place. I hope everything works out for you. Work with your travel agent to get this resolved, especially given that the posties went on strike 0ver a week ago.

glenn
said
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i am glad they will go back to work when 95% of the workers voted for strike they can not say now we did not --do not blame conservatives the ndp said your union is a bad one this does not say say much for two tongued layton

Blake
said
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@I fully support the Posties and UNIONS!!!

So basically what you are saying as well is that Privates in the Army should get the same thing as Generals, right?

CEO make money on decisions that flukies don't have to make. You don't need a HS leaving to deliver mail and thus people should be paid according to education and experience.

I find out that I shelled out about $15000 for a course and I find a job in that field for $13 (the best I can find) and some guy who delivers mail and probably has minimum a HS diploma is getting at least $5 more?!

AND he didn't have to pay for special courses and training to do his job.

AND he is complaining about what he has where as the rest of the population would dream and kill for the benefits they already have.

WOW, seriously... It seems the smart people back in the day are paying for the folly of those who didn't take life seriously, today.

The attitidude seems like, I want what this smart guy already has and has earned over the years. I want to be equals as the doctors and lawyers an businessmen. But I don't want to do much to earn it, just give it to me, LIFE OWES ME...

Smarrty
said
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In the past I worked in management, and had the experience of sitting through negotiations at the bargaining table. Union said, "We want more wages, more benefits." Management said, "The business cannot support these demands, we cannot afford it!. Union said, "You will find the money." The union got their wage increase, but within 2 years the business went under and everyone lost their jobs.I now am a union member. I spent 5 months locked out and on the picket line, while my call center job was sent overseas. After 5 months on the street, finally a contract, but it was more or less the same one offered on day one. It took me years to recover from the financial loss of being locked out, and really nothing was gained, when I returned to work.I can appreciate the feelings of both sides. However, Canada Post employees need to recognize that sometimes concessions are necessary in order to keep the business solvent. We need to be thankful that we have a job in this economy, especially when people are relying less on snail mail and using electronic options more.

harold c audron
said
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if you are not satisfied with your job,find another.that is what i have always done.your an over paid bunch of whiners.and ido paperless.i dont need you.

Where's My Mail??
said
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Thank you, Ms. Riatt for the legislation forcing and end to this strike - small business in this country is suffering!! Also, while I certainly admire the postal workers' continuation of delivery of government cheques for low income people, I personally have several very important documents held up in the mail: passport, replacement credit card, insurance reimbursement payment. I am sure I am not the only one in this situation! Canadians rely on the mail and we need it moving again!

G.H.
said
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Perhaps if the federal government would not continue to allow the privatization of companies. Such as Canada Post there would be better options for both the citizens and the employees. Corporations do not worry about the cost of the customers or the employees. The bottom line is they need to make money at the cost of everyone else involved. It would be nice to see the CEO walk the routes of some of the mail carriers for a day.

Disgusted
said
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All this talk about how bad it would be without a union. I don't have a union and I get paid very well, have great benefits and am treated well by my employer. I also have no secondary education. The last thing I want is a union to steal $100.00 a month from me so that I can lose 2 weeks pay for their stubborness.

Union Member Harassment
said
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I certainly would like to have the legislation passed that would give the relevant employee the right to join a union or not. In order to get a job, the union forces the new employee to join it and thereby secures the union dues. It is time to stop the bullying and the union harassment of a union member if a union member decides to cross a picket line - even a picket line that is not relevent to the current strike. It is time to stop the strong-arm methods that unions use.

roggie
said
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Allowing the federal government to legislate postal workers back to work takes away all the strides that workers have gained over the last 100 years.Mail was still being delivered until the lockout,giving all the power back to management,instead of letting the system to work as it was set up to be .This would never happen in the private sector.go posties go

G
said
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To all you whiner's complaining about your cheques being stuck in transit. Why, on God's green earth did you not hustle yoWur butt down to your bank and get a direct deposit form months ago and take care of your business?! Duh? You knew this stike/lock out was looming! Bill's to pay. Mouth's to feed. Your needs are suffering because YOU failed to take care of your personal business my dear. WE are attempting to take care of ours.

Lorraine
said
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ALL government services should be classified as: ESSENTIAL SERVICES and not allowed to strike.

After all, it's all the tax payer money paying for those salaries.

In my view, it's absolutaly ridiculous to have "union representation" in government positions ???

Government is US and we're asking "UNIONS" to raise our taxes ??? How ridiculous is this ???

Oasis
said
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Of course, not everyone working in Canada Post wanted to strike. Those people who wanted to work has gotten no pay these past few days and they don't deserve it.

Suzie
said
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This wouldn't be so bad if the outcome weren't already determined - everyone knows that regardless of the proposals, the arbitrator will back Canada Post - a Canadian Crown Corporation that contributes millions to the federal government's general revenue coffers.

Alexandria
said
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To all you people who say my cheques are in the mail and I need them to live on Get with it and receive your government and other cheques by DIRECT DEPOSIT.To end the LOCK OUT maybe Canada Post should change their negotiator. Maybe he is a guy or gal who thinks they own Canada Post and is being unreasonable about the whole thing.I would like to have the salary and benefits of all supervisors and other non union Canada post employees made public. How much is the negotiator for Canada Post making? What are their benefits? Fair is fair this is a Crown corporation it is not privately owned.Let us know how much they make and what their job description is then we can decide if they are worth it

michelle storms
said
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Heck No. How can the Company lock it's employees out and then have the Government force them back? That is not right, Canada Post is using the Government to get what they want because every time they sit down with the union they are there for 1/2hr and say no to everything then leave. How can this be negotiations? Negotiations both sides have to show up and negotiate. Canada is using the Government to do their dirty work. Canada Post needs to get off their butts and work with the union.

Janet May
said
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This is a crown corporation that locked employees out. The cupw workers were doing their jobs which is servicing the public. Why should the government interfere in the process at all. Why doesn't the government instead order Canada Post executive to end the lock out and get back to negotiations with a mandate to negotiate in good faith.

G
said
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Yes, to some of you lame brain individuals. They were LOCKED OUT. Do yourself a favor and pull out a dictionary and look up the true meaning of the word. Postal workers have there hands tied at the moment.

Mike
said
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Yes we should all work for 12 bucks an hours...have Defined Contribution Pensions and no benefits...that we way we can all be poor and not have any money to keep the economy at a decent upward trend. That way all companies can make over a billion dollars of profit a year and the majority of shareholders, which won't be us...can live "high on the hog"...it makes sense! Maybe doctors and lawyers can make 20 bucks an hour?

Going Broke!
said
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I am a postie and I wanna work...some of us although it may only be a few do not support what the union is fighting for. I cannot afford to be off work any longer! I have bills to pay and kids to feed!

Larry I Ontario
said
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Hats off to the Harper group for getting these lazy postal workers back to work. They should have gone one step further and fire them all and give the unemployed a shot at a job.

kc
said
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I don't feel the gov't picked sides. It's an essential service. Get over it union people. What would happen if the Justice Dept went of strike? Etc., Etc. Do your dirty business at work. Don't let us paying customers suffer. What would happen if stay-at-home-moms went on strike??? We wouldn't make our children pay for our needs.

In Edmonton
said
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@ Postie. I can understand your frustration but you must also understand the frustration of the people of Canada. Where you are getting a paycheck and benefits, some of us NEED the postal service for our financial survival. Where are WE heard in this strike? The postal system needs radical changes but those seem to be lost on the Unions. I am all for your ability to strike, but as a business person, I have NO VOICE for my staff and the like anymore and we will go bankrupt. I get no compensation from this strike. In the end, you will still have a job with benefits and you will need to adapt to the new century. As for my company, we are being forced to change who we deliver through and that will be lost revenue for Canada Post forever.

Bill
said
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I had a wage reduction of $2.00 per hour and a cut in benefits after working for the same company for 11 years. The option was to try to find another job and start over at a lower wage and less vacation time. If your sick, you show up for work or you don't get paid. No pension for me either. No matter how much money you make or how good you have it you're always going to want more. Sometimes you just have to learn to settle for a little less.

Julia
said
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I actually need a job and I know many people that don't have jobs that would like one too. Since your job requires no education and only requires you to have two working legs then I guess it would be pretty easy to find some new employees that really need jobs. I also wonder how exactly your job is unsafe. You guys walk around and deliver the mail.

Peter Lesperance
said
0 0

Well if they don't get back to work soon I may as well give up and get on welfare.I struggled to save enough money to take a stab at opening a small home business.
I found a new product and I found that there is a need for this product in my area.
After getting a few items to show around and test. I then spent everything I had getting phone lines and business cards, invoices and all that stuff for a small office. I ordered my inventory everything was great until the lockout. Now that I spent all my money and have no money coming in at all because all my inventory is in some locked up post office. I won't be able to pay the phone bill etc.Please force them back to work.It seems to me Canada Post thinks the biggest inconvenience to us all is Bills and Bill payment so they are paying to advertise Epost a billing system that online banking has had for years. I don't need my bills to pay for them. I can do that on line either with rogers website or through online banking. I don't need Epost or any other billing method. I need my mail.

Shauna from St. Paul, Alberta
said
0 0

While I believe that mail is important, and I feel bad for people that aren't receiving cheques that they need, I think people are being too quick to take the side of Canada Post and to speak against the postal workers. The problem with introducing back to work legislation in this case is that it sets a dangerous precedent. The workers and union were willing to keep working until a contract was agreed upon. Rotating strikes weren't affecting the Canadian public very much. Canada Post were the ones that ordered the lockout, putting an end to mail delivery/pickup entirely. THAT affected the Canadian public. I think it's safe to say they did it so that the government would introduce back to work legislation, which is not respecting their employees or the unions.

Ted from Toronto
said
0 0

20 years ago I'd stand in long line at the old Adelaide Post office and watch the 8 or 9 union guys and gals play their game of shuffling around behind the counter while doing nothing. Only one lady was actually working at only one open position of the six spots at the counter while everyone else made it a point not to look over at at the public. All the while a phone was constantly ringing and never answered. One gal would pick up a piece of paper and trudge around the desks and then put the paper on another desk..... repeating the process back to the same desk a couple minutes later. For entertainment, a few of us line-up regulars would make bets on how many times she'd do it while we stood there waiting. There was a crude sign on a cabinet someone put up which said: "Working here ain't no party!"

Marilyb
said
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To Postie:Do you know how many people don't have a pension? Don't have a job and are willing to work for a lot less than you do? Also you get clothes supplies etc. You don't know how well you have it. If it weren't for small businesses etc I'd say stay out forever.

Alex
said
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It's entirely normal for a country to have a postal service, one that people can rely on. There should be mechanisms, entrenched into their collective agreement, that safeguard postal workers' rights, safety, without their EVER having to resort to strike in order to have decent wages and safety parameters. It's like the Royal Canadian Mint, they can't say we'll stop making coins, it's part of keeping the Government running things.

Mark Platt
said
0 0

Re: Back to Work Legislation for Postal Workers

Postal workers were locked out by Canada Post. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers offered to suspend rotating strikes over a week ago and negotiate a settlement. The employer will continue to slash jobs and cut benefits. The government will get even more revenues than the $1.5 billion they already received in the last 15 years. Consumer spending will be lost in communities across the country as money disappears into the black hole of the federal government. The government is taking away the constitutional right of workers to collective bargaining and is acting above the law.

Regards,

Mark Platt
Dundas, ON

TRex in BC
said
0 0

Jo ~ Please catch up. It isn't the 48,000 employees of Canada Post that are holding the country hostage. It is CAnada Post Corporation that has 'locked out' the 48,000 employees. The 'lock out' is the fault of greedy corporation CFO and CEO.

Sara
said
0 0

I can see both sides. Each of them have valid points.

It is not right for the Employer to be able to use the government to force back their workers though.

I just hope an agreement is reached in the best intersts of both parties and they go back to work soon.

My wedding invites are stuck at my local post office, and it's not like I can even go get them back.

Cynical
said
0 0

Will the full-time employees of the Union (not members) get a pay hike or bonus for the posties being legislated back to work and their contract settled by arbitration? If so, how is it paid? By those same posties who permanently lost income on the picket line while the full-time union employees kept on drawing a pay check? And the posties blame CP management!

tiredpostieinMB
said
0 0

Please send us back to work to do the Job I love. Let it go to arbritration as the two parties cannot solve this themselves....

Will
said
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My bad experience with Canada Post strikeMy friend sent me mail via Canada Post international partner on June 16th(from original country). Canada Post partner promised delived by 5 days. I believe Canada Post didn't inform its partners on its ongoing strike or at least not in a timely manner. Now my mail cannot be tracked at all. I called Canada Post several times(call center not on strike fortunately). I was told the mail was in Canada Post, but no one know where it is. My normal work was really disrupted. I hope the legislation can be effected tomorrow.

Ti
said
0 0

Form a Union! For all the people who are complaining they have no benefits or pensions. Or quit you job and find a better one.

postie
said
0 0

To all the bashers out there, we were Locked out..we want to keep what we have, so we tried to deal with CPC, but they would not budge on the safety issues, or the PEnsion issue..I'm sure if Your boss came to you and said "We want you to take a pay cut, work in an unsafe way,and You have to pay back into Your pension money We "borrowed"(STOLE!) without your permission", you would just say, Ya, sure; at least I still have a job..for now..

Jo
said
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How can 48,000 people be allowed to keep an entire nation hostage?????

RS
said
0 0

Yeah, lets just get rid of all unions and see the rights of workers in the private sector become next to nil. You people need to look at the bigger picture. Everyone is so brainwashed by the capitalists and the capitalist run media that you don't even think about the implications of worker's being denied the right to bargain collectively. Why don't you just go back to being paid $6/hr for 15 hours a day, with no benefits, no guaranteed employment security, no guaranteed safety when it comes to working conditions. Lets just roll back a hundred and fifty years of progress for the working people.

Charlotte
said
0 0

Way to go Lisa Raitt and the Government. There are SO many people suffering nowadays the postal workers should just be happy they have a good paying job and benefits to go with it. It seems strange to me that the economy is So important now and that two of our main companies go on strike around the same time, that WILL hurt a lot of people and if management did their job I don't think these companies would have had to cause all this disruption for their workers and the economy. We just came through a recession folks, get back to work.

Rick
said
0 0

Workers should demand better quality of life from employers. We have deteriorated into a Mc Job society. With housing, fuel, food and medical costs skyrocketing we need better pay to grow and prosper as a nation.

kym
said
0 0

Don't you think Harper has stolen enough from the middle class worker?

PostalWorker65
said
0 0

In order to set the stage for back-to-work legislation management engaged in a series of media stunts. First they claimed that our demands would cost $1.4 billion. They refused to explain or justify this figure, but it got them the headlines they wanted. To portray themselves in a crisis they invented the figure of a 17% reduction in overall mail volumes since 2006. They ignored the fact that 2009 was a record year for profits. To create the appearance of an emergency they claimed that our rotating strike had reduced volumes by 50% and cost them $70 million. The same day they raised the figure to $100 million. When everything failed they locked us out to give the government a pretext to pass legislation.

Suck it up already
said
0 0

Dear Canadian Postal Workers,

If you do not want to work anymore, then don't. There are enough poor, desperate students out there willing to work for minimum wage doing far worse things then delivering mail and they don't get any benefits for doing it. Suck it up and get over it. It's not our fault you don't have the skills or education to get a better job.

Sincerely,

Canada

lc
said
0 0

All the union bashers seem to desire a future where workers will be getting Walmart wages and benefits because that is where the globalist union busting agenda destination is.Hope many here are paid corporate shills because the alternative is a population full of brain washed corporate drones who have not enough sense to know where they are on the social ladder.That is a dim future for all but those who will prosper from the sweat shops.

JC
said
0 0

Sure, the postal workers want to go back to work and blame being locked out, but don't forget, they are the ones that went on strike in the first place! With the recession harldy over they should be thankful for their jobs in the first place!

Johnnie
said
0 0

It amazes me that the union does not relay to the employees how much the strike will cost them individually. In economics,this is what is called "The Law of Diminishing Returns." There will come a point in the time of this strike when you will never get the opportunity costs back. What you gave up to go on strike will never be recovered. The longer they strike the greater their losses will be, then it becomes a matter of saving face.Someone should tell this to the union employee. If you do not settle this very quickly, the union employees are the only ones that stand to lose. Think about it. Think for yourselves for god sakes. Your union executives are getting paid, what do they care.

Jill
said
0 0

I really don�t care what they want! They should consider themselves lucky the even have a job!I�ve gone paperless! I only use Canada Post for greeting cards and if I could change that I would. It took two weeks for my Mum�s Mother�s Day card to get from Nanaimo, BC to Hamilton, Ontario!

Becky
said
0 0

I own a small business and we rely on our cheques through the mail to pay our bills. Because of the strike, our business can not afford our bills. I think that unions have gone too far and are ruining this Country and causing job losses forcing companies to pay employees what they can not afford and the they in turn go bankrupt and people LOSE their jobs after crying about things like pensions. Put money away like the rest of us have to.

3 days is plenty:Hamilton
said
0 0

When we think of the amount of electronic mail that zings around the world now, arriving in our Inboxes, we have to conclude that 2-3 days/week is PLENTY for mail delivery. Do some math, for goodness sake, and cut out the fat; they are not needed any more. Do a gradual shift, do staff attrition, but the time to start is now. This is lack of initiative in CPC, and little else. Unions will yell, but too bad, suck it up and move on. Private industry would have had this rolling months/years ago, given the electronic changes which are so mainstream now. Wake up over there, and give us taxpayers a break. Meanwhile, the back to work bill will take us back to service, but there is just too much of it; go for the 3 days, and be done with it.

Sylvia
said
0 0

I think Canada Post and the union should come up with a deal on their own and totally dismiss the Government from it all together. Employees would return to work, businesses would be able to function again and people would be happy getting their mail again. An Arbitrator would have 90 days to study the proposals made by both sides before coming up with a final settlement. With the Government involvement; employees,such as myself, and 47,999 others may be without a pay cheque for a while and I just don't think that is justified on the part of Canada Post to do such a thing to all it hard working employees.

Courtney
said
0 0

I'm really hoping all of this gets back to normal and I get my mail

Colleen
said
0 0

Please get it straight we are Locked Out by Canada Post. We want to work enough is enough...

Cambob in Toronto
said
0 0

Private sector unions are fine because the unionized employees actually have a stake in the company. But with public, crown corporations, the workers can strike with no fear that thier meal ticket will go bankrupt. This. Is. Wrong. No More Public Unions.

Freedomordeath
said
0 0

No one in a free society should be forced to work at the end of a gun, Shame on all of you who think that getting bills and birthday cards is more important than fair wages. Government ordering people to work is slavery!

TJ
said
0 0

I deliver Pizza for my second job, I have all the same dangers these people have with half the pay. I also have to pay for my own Gas and Maintenance. Get back to work or I'll take your job!!!!

Anonymous
said
0 0

The government does not seem to realize that some people do not have food on the table or cannot pay their bills, with children in homes. The postal strike is stopping me from receiving checks by postal mail, whereas some clients do not pay otherwise via paypal or direct banking deposits, without additional costs to us directly. This is ridiculous. Why are you stopping workers from getting back to work? And if postal workers are not happy with their jobs, then fire them and hire people like me who would be more than happy to serve the community accordingly. In our current economy, this is unacceptable.

Angel
said
0 0

I for one hope that Canada Post will be back to work shortly. As a small business owner who works an online business from home I will loose my business if Canada Post is not operational. I currently have stalled out in the postal system that should have been to me almost 3 weeks ago, angry clients who are demanding refunds and refusing to do further business with me. Courier service is simply too expensive for the average customer and without Canada Post I will not have a business due to exponential rise in shipping costs to my clients and inbound supplies and stock.I support the reasons why these workers are striking BUT for those that think that Canada Post is not an essential service you would be very wrong it is.

reminds me of the US
said
0 0

Only just recently a majority and they are already going straight at breaking unions using federal legislation. Ridiculous.Curious to see the state of our nation in a few years!!

Fred Williams
said
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There will be no negotiating by the management now that they know back to work legislation is on the table in the House. They just have to sit back and wait for the government to screw the employees for them.Maybe we need a general strike here in Canada?

RangerRick
said
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First Air Canada; now the postal workers; to the Canadian voters who gave us a majority government... THANK-YOU. Let's keep this country moving forward. To the opposition, may I suggest that you look at what is right for the country not just blindly following labour.

Marcia
said
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I think the postal workers should be forced back to work and get the mail out to the residents of the city and across Canada what they are doing is not fair to us they should resolve their issues and go back to work. everyone needs their mail and its important that people receive their bills, cheques, etc. get back to work postal workers!

I fully support the Posties and UNIONS!!!
said
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Let's start rolling back every worker in every industries wages. If all you negative people on here expect everyone to work for $10 an hour, see how it will effect your business. No one will be able to afford a car, a house, vacations, children, going out for dinner etc. The Ceo's and business owners can be GREEDER and we will have no middle class anymore. Heck why don't we all go on welfare and get everything for free. THINK ABOUT IT PEOPLE!!!!!Let's all work a week in the Postie's shoes, through the coldest rainy freezing day in the snow and see how cushy of a job it is.

Mia
said
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People keep talking about 'corporate greed', yet nobody questions how much money unions are raking in from companies. Why is Buzz Hargrove one of the wealthiest men in Canada? Unions are nothing but a big Ponzi scheme. The poor buggers on the picket lines defending their union are the ones lining the pockets of these union fatcats! Wake up.

Jettle
said
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I think Harper should just be honest with Canadians. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, only what he has decided must happen. He should have the guts to put his real agenda on the table......let's all go back to the 19th century where the elite made all the decisons for the peons....

Rod Lightheart
said
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Postal Disruption;Sorry folks - my pay cheques come in the mail, so, as the government cheques are being delivered, what about my pay? I have to live too and at this point, it is critical that I get my cheques as I prepare to move. They are caught in the mail now - and not in my hands.I don't like being held hostage and that is exactly how I feel right now. Maybe we should close Canada Post and bring someone in who will guarantee the delivery of my pay. My message is for both the union and management.

Cathy
said
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Canada Post has staged a very effective propaganda campaign throughout this dispute; they've managed to blur the distinction between the union-initiated mildly inconvenient rotating strikes and the Canada Post-initiated country-wide lockout. I support back to work legislation but I hope the arbitrated agreement is favourable to the workers. A crown corporation holding in-transit mail hostage is not something the government should practice or endorse.

Strike_Victim
said
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The Canadian economy is bleeding because of this strike/blockout. Small business are desperate. Get the mail delivered FIRST and negotiate later. Now it's not the time to play politics.

Frustrated
said
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I honestly don't care who is right and who is wrong...whether "all" people use Canada Post or not, it is still an essential service. Like police and fireman they need to stay at work while independent arbitrators sort out the situation...it just costs everybody far to much money

jim
said
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Al, You're missing the point. As a country we can't afford, nor should we allow strikes in an essential service. Those days should long be over. Binding arbitration and negotiation while the workers remain working. It's demeaning to a person to walk a picket line. It's disruptive to the customers and taxpayers. It's just too 19th century...

Of course any worker unhappy with their job should be welcomed and encouraged to seek other employment elsewhere.

Long term we do have to let private enterprise take over the job. Actually every city could have local contractors.

During the dismantling process, we do have to keep a watchful eye on the politicians and bureaucrats to make sure they don't favour associates of theirs

And we don't want to follow the "Windsor Garbage Privitization" model where redundant workers are kept on the payroll.

~Anonymous~
said
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I read a lot of comments about the Canada Post employees( CUPW ) not wanting to go back to work.

For all these commentors information, CUPW has been locked out by management. The employees want to go back to work, management won't let them back in.

If you are all angry about the postal situation, then blame who is responsible...Canada Post Management, they ordered the lock out, not CUPW.

Arthur
said
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Fed Up,Ya, that's exactly what Canada Post employees are fighting for. They don't have any sick benefits. Wow...seriously...wow.

Dee
said
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Apparently the Keswick, ON post office doesn't care who does or doesn't get their cheques as they were closed today with no signs that they were going to be processing ANY of the cheques that Canada Post said they would.

Very cute watching them all sit under a tree doing nothing like lazy lizards. Harper, give the jobs to the people who actually WANT to work.

Bryan
said
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Regarding my previous comment about not knowing what the offer is and what postal employees wages and benifits are. Maybe someone that works for Canada Post could shed some light upon that. Maybe it is out of line to ask but I would like to know what the details are.

Dreamr
said
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So tell me union members you pay your dues every month, do you get what you pay for?

I figure your union collects about 25 million per year from its members....again do you get what you paid for! Who is the ones getting rich off you...Canada Post....I think not!

Maybe it is time to open your eyes and stop being a follower and use your own brain for once!

Scott (in AB Party Country)
said
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As a CP employee has the right to walk out, so too does the corporation have the right to lock out. We talk about "rights"...it works both ways!

Gregorie
said
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This is just my opinion on some of the comments.
I do not think back to work legislation is wrong. Like many people have stated there are small business that would not survive without postal service and also not everyone can have direct depost for cheques they are depending on.
I think it was wrong to lock out the works in the first place because at least during negotiations there was still some service for those who needed it.
I belong to a union and we are currently negotiating a new contract. It is my opinion that the union leaders do not really listen to what the union members actually want. So before you get all angry at the postal workers everyone should understand that it is a small group of people representing all of the workers.
For those people that say being a letter carrier is a hard job. I am sure it is but there are a lot of hard jobs in this country that require a person to be outside in harsh conditions. The weather in Canada has always been the way it is so I don't think you can use that as bargaining agument just as it is unfair for people to say if you don't like it get another job.

Beverley
said
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It is time to take Canada Post off the backs of Canadians. They have allowed the unions to hold us hostage once too often. Postage keeps going up and delivery keeps going down. We have been keeping a close eye on delivery for quite a long time and the reality is....no delivery on Monday or Friday. Odd....don't you think?

J.C.
said
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I hope that all Canadians will boycot Canada Post for at least 1 year and so everybody will get fired as they are not doing their job which we pay for.By charging before shipping and not deliver in my opinion is mal practice and any compagnie who gives this terrible service to its customers should be banned.And even worse by closing the postal offices and not hand over the mail is steeling while the content does not belong to Canada Post but to the sender or receiver.Thieves should end up in jail

Bry
said
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The next thing we'll hear is that the CRTC has outlaw'd the internet because it's cutting into CP's bottom line.

Evy
said
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Unions are not good for anybody, to "fed up" I am not in a union and I have benefits, my husband is not in a union and he has benefits, so not really too sure what you are talking about. Unions need to be kicked to the curb

Kyle
said
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I dont understand how postal workers are saying things like "you try carrying 35lbs of mail through rain and snow", when was the last time anyone saw a postal worker do that? Now a days, the majority of postal workers drive around in a truck or a car and they go to a "mail box centre" open it up and shove mail into a group of individual mail boxes and then drive off to the next one. I agree that when they had to go from house to house and carry mail all day that they deserved to be paid more but with that gone, so should there high pay.

essa
said
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This is really very bad, I will loose my family tickets to Europe and my hotel prepaid reservation in this coming Friday because of this strike, called many times Canada post office and they cant help to send my passport back, I don�t know what to do but this strike will damage my plan trip and I will loose around 7000 CAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Angela L. Lawson
said
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I am an American married to a Canadian. I have been waiting almost 2 years for my permanent residency here. ''They" tell me my letter is very close to arriving and now I am dealing with a Canada Post strike, 2 years and over $2000 later I still have no Permanent Residency and no Healthcare. I want the right to live here legally with my husband of 3 years! The government services here are so inefficient. and I thought the USA was bad! Ridiculous!

Samir _ Calgary
said
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I still just want my mail!!!!

Northern Princess
said
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With the Air Canada and the Canada Post going on strike, it has made me stop and think about unions, striking and the length of the strike. I remember when Vale Inc went on strike. It affected an entire community and many associated bussinesses and it dragged on for nearly a year. Whatever they were fighting for will never be recovered. However, it was a company and its employees' problems. Air CANADA and CANADA Post are national companies that affect CANADIANS as a whole. That is what I have a problem with. Whether they have education or not, skills or not, to me is irrelevant. What they want in regards to pensions is not to have to contribute towards it (where most companies don't have it that way) and want more paid sick days and higher wages, etc. Enough already. You guys have everything great. Why would you want to jeopardize that? In the old days, unions did fight for better work places/conditions/salaries/benefits, etc, but in this day and age, no company would ever go back to those times for fear of a civil war. However, if employees become too greedy, most companies can up and leave the country to go to 3rd world countries where those people would love the chance of making 1/4 of what we get here. Both these companies bear the name of CANADA and deserve to be legislated back to work. If you don't like it, go work for a regular company and see what you'll get which would be a whole lot less, if you're even lucky to find work.

Be smart...get back to work.
said
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I just signed up for e-billing for the last 2 hold out charges I receive by mail, natural gas and electricity. Now everything is done online for me. Except for one small outstanding eBay purchase, I have no use for Canada Post. I bet there's millions of people in the same boat as me. CUPW has to grow a collective brain and realize they are fighting an uphill battle against changing times. Yes they are inexpensive but heavily subsidized by a business (junkmail) that is too in it's last days and once that is gone, so too are Canada Posts profits. All it will take is one municipality to legislate against unsolicited advertising that lands in every blue box every week and it's over. What Canada Post makes on junk mail, taxpayers pay to have hauled off in recycling trucks every week. CUPW should be smart and get back to work and hope this whole things blows over. They truly are not needed but for whatever reason, they simply are not getting the point through their skulls. Enjoy your Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous while you have it because darker days are ahead for every Canada Post employee.

Pony Express - Ottawa
said
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Time to get back to work before ordered back by the Federal Government...you guys were hired to do a job so do it...stop holding old people and others who depend on the postal service .. something we pay very high to have. Get on with the job!!!

Bryan
said
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It's really hard to comment on something when you don't know all sides of the issue. Just how much do postal workes make now and what kind of benifits do they have? What are they asking for and what is canada post offering?
I hope that they can come to some sort of agrement soon but in cases like this I think an arbitrator is the best option to study both offers and come up with a fair solution.

WahWahWah
said
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Does the whining ever end? My hHe works no less than 10 hours a day, but it's usually closer to 12. He makes a fair wage, but there are no 'extras'. He has to pay for his health benefits, he has no pension, and he lifts a lot more than 35lbs on the job, and doesn't have a specific number of paid sick days. If he's genuinely sick, which is rare, he will be paid for it.. but, "sick days" usually always equates to "free days". Give an employee 20 free sick days per year, and you can guarantee they'll use each day up whether they're sick or not! I'm really not sure why they expect sympathy for the jobs they do, when millions of Canadians have it much worse, with far less pay and 'benefits'. Shut up already.

Mike
said
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Judging from many comments here it looks like many people are still dependent on postal services. Many people say our service is obsolete. If that's the case, why are we being legislated back to work and losing our rights to negotiate a fair collective agreement?

For those who say we have an easy job, I suggest you try doing our job. Then you'll be eating your words.

For people who say postal workers are all "uneducated" fyi .. there are many well educated people working at the post office from all walks of life but we were smart enough to go where the pay is good and where the job security is.

As for getting into the post office, it's not easy. It's all about persistence! Worked as a christmas casual, on-call casual, part time and full time. It took me to about a decade before getting ft so don't tell me it's all about luck!

Magee
said
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Every time there is a postal disruption they're cutting their own throats. The corporation is already reporting lower revenues because people are using Interac e-transfers for exchanging money, automatic deposits, and e-bills and paying online. When there's a strike/lockout the world continues on, using couriers or making other arrangements instead. Soon the public will have no use for Canada Post at all. Maybe they should all start looking at the big picture and worry about not making themselves obsolete.

Dee Milton
said
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On one hand we cannot really blame anyone at all for trying to get more, - more of anything, be it wages, pensions, security, or more staff to slacken the perceived load. Alas, it seems most folks are not in sympathy with the strikers - any strikers these days - as colossal numbers of Canadians are earning far less with no benefits and certainly no job security. The strikers want job security. Golly, who doesn't? But as good-paying, pensioned, secure union jobs are increasingly being seen as a luxury for the privileged few whilst most ordinary Canadians labor for far less at dead-enders, it is a bit of a fantasy for postal workers to imagine that the public ought to support their demands. No one can, not really, especially not when we see some people in the mail order business being laid off as a result. It is difficult if not impossible to sympathize with folks who demand a good paying permanent job even if it means others must lose their jobs to supply it. There are simply too many hungry people - not just college kids but mature people with families - who would gladly do the postal jobs for far less, - less of everything, as far less is what they are getting right now. Not to mention the unemployed, - folks who would dearly love to have a job at all.

T. Klentz
said
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I really hope they start delivering mail soon.I order from the states all the time and I am expecting parcels.Its not fair for all the customers of canada post!

I also have respect for the people that deliver our mail.They still have to go out on the coldest or hottest days.

Beth
said
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Do these clowns not realize that this strike business is making their job MORE difficult? Imagine all the piles of mail they're going to have to deal with when they go back.

Suckers.

Dean in Abby
said
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Hey Al Arsenault, if they can't carry the stuff, get another job. They signed on knowing what the job entails. You can't whine about something you knew about. Get a grip already. On the bright side, the union MANAGEMENT are making lots of money and benefits while the workers are outside getting tans. Sounds great. On the bad side, the union PROFITS will suffer because of this temporary,hopefully long term, work stoppage.

GC Ontario
said
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@Cathie: My husband and I operate a small home=based service business and 95% of our payts are mailed to us. so we are hurting financially right now, an extremely stressful situation. However, when you say "thanks a lot Canada Post, the Canadian Government, AND the postal workers" I feel you are unfairly blaming the postal workers. Apart from 24 hr. rotating strikes, they continued to show up for work and delivered the mail daily . They DID NOT GO ON STRIKE, but were LOCKED OUT by Canada Post. I have no connection to any postal workers, but it seems to me THEY were williing to keep the mail moving during contract negotiations! The damage to business and by extension the Canadian economy, lies squarely with Canada Post management who shut it all down, and yes you can blace the gov't since it IS a crown corporation, These are the folds that don't care about Canadian economy or small business or me or you. So please put the blame in the right place.

KMO
said
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Dear - fed up:
-"To all of you anti union people please imagine getting sick and to the point you cannot work anymore because of your disease and with no benefits to pay for your medication please now tell me how long will you survive? not very long at all!!!!!."

- there are many - non-union jobs that provide full benefits, as well, as independant insurance plans that offer the same thing.

- Dear - union workers / Canada post.... cutting off service, - a PAID SERVICE just because you can't come to a settlement, is disgusting. There are many people that aside from the mandatory "government cheques" that will be delivered, are relying on the services that they paid a premium for, in order to live. - example - self employed tradesman. - "cheque's in the mail"

arguing over new employees - $18 - $24 an hour..you should be so lucky.

Adil
said
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If socio-economic cheques can be unaffected, I don't understand why passports are not considered essential.

I applied for a work permit and visa through the Buffalo consulate and now, it is stuck there. CIC website is not helpful at all as it asks applicants to send return UPS envelopes if they wish to have their documents back. The funny part is that the website does not provide any update on the progress of my application and if I do send in a UPS envelope, my passport and documents will be returned to me without being processed (full refund).

On filling the enquiry form on the Buffalo consulate website, I got an automated reply saying it will be answered within 28 working days. Brilliant!

random guy
said
0 0

Canada Post employees are simply overpaid. Has everyone forgotten what happen with the Auto industry not that long ago.
With everyone else suffering loses due to the unstable economy, PLEASE SOMEONE TELL ME WHY are postal workers paid as much as they are + benefits + pensions. I'm quite sure postal work is not that difficult, dangerous or complicated, agreed it is a necessary service but that shouldn't be reason enough to demand more and more.
Bottom line is that CUPW is only doing harm to itself, ppl are finding other ways to reliably get their parcels out and therefore taking business away from Canada Post

Citizen
said
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For all you people blaming the union, remember it's Canada Post who locked out it's employees. The workers were holding rotating strikes, which would slow down mail service for one day at most, and only one city at a time, creating pressure on Canada Post, and not on Canadians. The government wouldn't have to hold back-to-work legislation if Canada Post hadn't locked out the workers.

I think we all need to forget about the 'weak economy' bullshit and worry about our fellow workers first. Canada Post was implementing 'more efficient' methods, meaning more dangerous, while also reducing health and safety benefits, that's the real issue. Since Harper came in, even in minority, it's been about corporate greed in the private sector, reduced benefits, wages etc. for workers in the public sector, and he's telling you to protect the economy. Do you realize that he's asking us to make rich people richer and workers poorer?

Joe
said
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@Kahlua that's what I was saying. You pay for parcels to come in the mail you expect to get them in a timely manner. Stopping the mail was just pathetic. I say they should make it an essential service so that Canada Post can never do a lock-out and hold our parcels hostage again.

Jen
said
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To: V. Allen:
Regarding your comment, "the rich get richer...." Canada Post is part of the public sector if you're not aware, these are taxpayer dollars, people tend to forget this, especially the workers, been there, done that but never forgot where I came from!

Sonia S.
said
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I think all of these postal workers should count their blessings that they have a job like that, and stop whining. they make so much money per hour and do not even need any higher education for it. something is here wrong somewhere.

Nurses for example have to work very hard and have to study a lot and their hourly wage is almost the same, if not less.
Besides that, I don't think any other job offers so many vacation days as the postal workers get.
what is wrong with these people.
I have absolutely NO sympathy for them. they should go back to work, and stop making the innocent public suffer for their unreasonable ideas.

Sava
said
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Only possible in Canada - NO OTHER country in the world allows the essential services to go on strike!

This is BS

nane
said
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What about my 3 year old girl, about to turn 4, wonders why no one�s replied to her birthday invitations that were sent out just before the strike. Thank goodness we have e-mail!

So who's going to pay me back the cost of the birthday invitations and postage!

Kahlua
said
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It's really hard to care about "what" they are fighting for when you're not getting your packages. It's not like it's a free service either... If I pay for a service, I expect to get. If you pay someone to paint your car, you expect it to get done when they say it will be done. You don't say, well, keep my car as long as you like - you say paint it or I am taking my car somewhere else. I don't care about their problem, I care about the service I paid for.Plus, it's easy to say "direct deposit" BUT, pay checks are not the only things getting held up. Just a couple of the millions of examples - what about people who make a living selling on-line or shopping on-line. Or people who can't get around and rely on the mail for medication. Paper is not the only thing they deliver.

Debbie O' Brien
said
0 0

I feel for the postal workers, but us the population are suffering due to this. I live in Northern Quebec and this is the only way we can receive packages or anything. The majority of canadians can receive by puraltor or other means.. Employees in the health system are most always legislated back to work also.

Broose
said
0 0

Hey Bruce,
Although Canada Post hiring standards are not too high, I doubt you would get past the "Print Your Name Here" portion of the application. Nice spelling loser!

Leesiana
said
0 0

For those of you who "claim" that letter carriers do not need any skills to do their job; Why aren't you working for Canada Post?

someone
said
0 0

union's suck!!! they do nothing but only take your money for their own business!! and if the worker need a better benefit well go back to school and find a better job then cause this is effect us all for whatever they trying to do here!

fed up
said
0 0

To all of you anti union people please imagine getting sick and to the point you cannot work anymore because of your disease and with no benefits to pay for your medication please now tell me how long will you survive? not very long at all!!!!!.

Discouraged
said
0 0

Canada Post is corrupt by escalating this and lying about volume drop. The union is not spotless as they refused to allow workers to vote on accepting the last offer. I'm happy that for once an article didn't imply workers are greedy. They have real concerns, but the union leaders may be out for themselves. I can't say for sure, but I've read some workers suggest such. I'm more angry that some people still feel that everyone is wanting or capable about going digital, or everyone is able to afford or able to use other services for packages when it's not true. I'm angry that this country is going down hill fast. As for Jack Layton, while I want him in, and I respect that he wants to respect the unions, I can't respect not passing legislation when there are many small businesses in jeopardy, and workers who want to go back to work -- when there are many people needing to pay bills and feed their families!

al arsenault
said
0 0

I am a retired postal worker with nothing to gain in this "lock out" and I have visited and walked the lines of these 'locked out' workers and there wasn't one worker that I talked to who doesn't agree that 'back to work legislation' is wrong! This government will order these workers back to work and that is what I call BULLSHIT. . . Allow negotiations to continue. For those who want to do our work - can you carry 35 pounds through winds, snow, rain etc - it isn't always a nice day! When the CEO of CPC makes over 600 thousand a year plus bonuses and perks and has never delivered a piece of mail please tell me who's asking for too much.Al Arsenault

Bubba
said
0 0

I think that it is time that the taxpayers of Canada said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH and asked the government to privatize the postal system. THEN we would see some dramatic changes to all this nonsense. I think that in this day and age, if postal workers are not happy with their conditions - GET ANOTHER JOB! Surely with over 14 million Americans without work and who knows how many in Canada, the positions would surely be filled immediately. With the numbers of letters down dramatically, and Canada Post losing so much money, it is time to face reality - privatize and then open the marketplace to ALL delivery companies to COMPETE for the deliveries. This would create good competition and end up in those delivery companies themselves becoming more efficient in delivering mail, as well as reduced costs for the consumer, WITHOUT having to pay money every year just to keep Canada Post going...
just my 2cents worth...

jim
said
0 0

As small business owner, I rely on on customers to send me a cheque through the mail, which I then use to pay my bills.

From my point of view, it's time we contracted out the postal "service" to private companies.

Even if the cost of a stamp doubled, it would be worth it to ensure reliable service now and in the future.

Cost savings, by reducing and even eliminating government and union bureaucrats, would be substantial.

Mouss
said
0 0

I understand the concern about being fair and workers right and unions. And i have to issues with that. But sometimes, you gotta do what's right for the sake of our country. Post office just like the Police and public transportation are crucial to everyday life. From checks, to important notice of appointment to immigration papers. Some mail can be be a life changer to people and should not be taking lightly. After this situation is solved, Post office must never be able to go on strike again!! I think the Gvrmt should vote for that!! I'm waiting for an important immigration paper that can cost me delaying my travel and a huge amount of paper work, just cause my letter is stuck in the mail somewhere. I think the biggest loser in all that is everyday citizen. And that's the sad part. After this strike is done, no one will feel for the post office people and they will not be respected anymore!! That's what I think anyways! let's hope this will end soon.

Peter
said
0 0

I am glad that the federal government is going to end the postal strike by bringin in back to work legislation, but why wasn't this done sooner?

The Air Canada workers settled before the back to work legislation was introduced to get them back to work, so why didn't the government introduce back to work legislation the very same day to get Canada Post back to work.

It would seem that the federal government isn't acting quick enough on this very important matter. As per this article, they won't be introducing back to work legislation until 10 am on Tuesday June 21st re: Canada Post strike. This is very disappointing to me because this is just further delaying the start date to get the post office up and running again.

Clearly the government should either declare Canada Post as an essential service and bring in the necessary legislation to forbid strikes by CUPW. If they can't agree on a settlement, then it goes to binding arbitration.

Sam Regina
said
0 0

The postal workers are being well compensated or overpaid; the CCP is making more than enough money and throwing a shit-fit because they didn't get their way.

While cost of living is rising, currency inflation is inherent, and wages aren't rising; but the demands by the CUPW are not reasonable. The highest paid jobs are those that are in demand and require extraneous schooling. Even with a four year B.Sc. from U of R $17/hr is an expected starting wage in the city, no way should postmen be paid $27/hr, teachers get only 10% more than that.

I have been turned down at interviews because of over-employment at my local CP office. "How do you know your being over paid? If someone exists who will do the job for cheaper. "

Ideally postal work should be reserved for students putting themselves through school ect., not squandered by middle-aged half-eager laborers who seem to desire nothing but a sustained position in a middle class job. While that isn't a bad thing, it does impose on the wages of a large portion of the private sector.

Then again I also contend that law enforcement and politicians should be limited to 2-four year terms of service no more.

Canadapost could increase their employ if they started to offer delivery 6 days a week, and offer a sunday delivery special service. That could be a potential of 20% employee increase. Plus CP would begin to retrieve business from the other national delivery services.

Lola
said
0 0

I live in Oakville and don't receive mail for 2 wks already. How is it rotating non-destructive strike. Hope the government will order lazy asses to woks soon !!!!!

Leesiana
said
0 0

Yes. The Union has good points and bad points, but it looks as though the Union is more about "winning" rather than "compromising." When a "final offer" is given by Canada Post, everyone involved should have a say.

GGG
said
0 0

In our current economy there are many people who are still being laid off or who have been laid off and can't find work. And the postal workers have the nerve to go on strike due to reasons such as wages and pensions? Give me a break. Get back to work and quit complaining, at least you have a job and have money coming in to support your family.

Lola
said
0 0

I'm self-employed; I receive cheques by mail, from different clients. I guess I have to set direct deposit with CP now !

bruce
said
0 0

thank god we have a bunch of whiny babys who work for the canada post, must be hard to have a good jod that pays well and haves good benfits.screw all of you from the poeple who depend on the mail to recieve our pay cheques(not ever company has direct diposit)and bills. get back to work you lazy bastards or get a different job if its that bad

Denis Desormeaux
said
0 0

Plain and simple it is Canada post's fault this is going overboard. Why not let them do their rotating strikes and let the mail still go through no that's not good who needs their mail. Let's just lock them out and no mail gets delivered way to go Canada Post congratulations on another stupid decision. Maybe if you guys stopped outsourcing parcels to companies like purolator you would make more money and not have these issues at all. Also Maha Lee some of us dont want to go direct deposit and prefer the old fashion way of doing things.

karam
said
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please start delivering mail at the same time workers should get there demands to it is not worth it to fight with public same time public should not try to hurt them (workers)either.Good luck both sides.

G. Albano
said
0 0

I'll do your job for HALF what you are paid. If you don't like your circumstances, then go find another job.
Grow up, get real in this economy and be grateful for the job that you do have!

Joe
said
0 0

All these people that are saying that Canada Post isn't a very important service and think you can just fax or email. These people aren't thinking about the big picture. You can't fax or email somebody a painting or a dvd. You can fax or email them a picture of those items though. But I doubt they would appreciate that. Bills and Cheques aren't the only important thing that we desprately need Canada Post for in order to stop a monopoly by the private couriers.

V. Allen
said
0 0

To all those that comment to all workers that they should appreciate their jobs and get back to work and so on, AGREED!! Not all postal workers wanted this strike and were quite content with their situation unfortunately just like our government majority rules and you all are putting all thousands of postal workers in the same category, not so there are many that do appreciate it and have no choice as their vote did not count, now may have to look for different employment if security of job is in jeopardy. Stop insulting unless you have been in the same shoes as every single person that works for Canada Post. It's the corporation that is greedy and the government which poses as a democratic gov't that makes all the decisions for you, yes including all of you and if you can't see that, your loss, we all pay in the end and it's always the huge corporations that end up winning. As the saying goes the richer get richer and the poor get poorer, the more you try to get ahead they snatch it away from you. Please think before you write, you could end up on the street too if something is threatened in your life and you had no control, it can happen to anyone of us.

"Evy
said
0 0

Dear Fed up, not sure which Lynn you are talking about, but I'm with the one that wants to kick unions to the curb. They don't protect the proper people. This great country of ours is not a level playing field when it comes to working, just because you have a hire date, does not make a good employee, I'm not in a union, and I am surviving quite well, I'm not worried about losing my job, because I do my job well, I don't need a useless union to protect me. Kick em to the curb

cathie
said
0 0

I would like to thank all involved for ensuring that our business is now starting to suffer financially thanks to the mail strike. Our company has taken along time to become what it is today always being there for the commercial trucking companies we service. NOW, maybe not so much....you see your payments come by mail....no mail no money well you understand.Yet the suppliers i use are going to mark "deliquent" on our accounts as we need to pay them,I understand that but how do we keep paying our bills,housing,food,fuel childrens needs ect ect....and no receive any payments owed to us????
Just sayin.....thanks a lot Canada Post,The Canadian Government and the Postal Workers!!!

Ken McPhee
said
0 0

Well, since Canada Post has gone on strike (been locked out), I've had the equivalent of one months revenue "stuck" in the mail. Today is payday for all my employees... guess what? I can't make payroll today.

Thankfully the majority of my employees understand, but some simply don't.

I'm forced this afternoon to finance my payroll, which will cause an immediate reduction in my bottom line, which will be passed on to my employees in lower wages.

The demands of the posties is insane! The idea there's even a union for these low-skilled workers is laughable. With very few exceptions Unions are out-dated and irrelevant.

Chris W
said
0 0

It just shocks me at this both sensitive and critical time in our economic recovery to hear anyone striking. I am sure there are lots of people who would take these jobs in a heartbeat if they were offered. Its outright selfishness and inconsiderate to our fellow Canadians who are working hard to make ends meet. The last thing they need to worry about is where there cheques are or are their cheques (bill payments) being received as well as personal issues thorugh the mail.
I personally do not know of anyone who supports this strike.

Brent
said
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My mother works delivering mail for Canada Post. To the below comment's saying the work they do is not "hard" or not exhausting.. take a look at their job you GOOFS! I know exactly what they do as I went on "Take Your Kid To Work Day" to the post office. Sure, maybe the worker's with mobile routes have it easier but do you even know how much the staff that have walking routes have to walk? Imagine pounding the pavement in incredibly hot weather, or a horrible snow storm? Yeah.. People who think that is easy..don't know anything. Any to say someone who does physical work like that doesn't deserve benefits and a pension that they originally took the job FOR?

Kristine
said
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Average postal workers salary with little to no experience is $45,000-$50,000 / year with one of the best benefit packages out there as well as bonuses and stock options. I know people that work for Canada Post that take sick days for hockey games and get free 'physio - massages' for a laugh.

Really?? Fix the time theft and the benefit abuse internally first.

GiveMeABreak
said
0 0

"The government has no business stepping in to wipe out 40 years of fight stripping these workers of their right to collective bargaining"

How about this. The CUPW nor Canada Post has the right to hold an entire country's mail hostage in their collective bargaining. My company's cashflow, along with every other SMB in this country, has been greatly affected by this strike that has NOTHING to do with us, yet we are the ones paying the price. I've got over $100K in receivables sitting in a pile somewhere in a sorting facility, and both parties are using it as collateral damage in THEIR dispute. While they're off behaving like petulant children, every small/medium business in Canada is trying to work through financial difficulties. They've been "collectively bargaining" for 9 months, and are no closer to a deal now than they were 9 months ago, so, the government absolutely needs to step in and make it happen, and let the REST OF US get back to running our businesses.

Continue to pay/receive your bills online, and continue to boast about how much you DON'T need this service, but when one day your employer comes to you and says he doesn't have the cashflow to make payroll that week, you can thank your buddies at the CUPW/CP.

igi
said
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you want to talk about corporate greed , what about employee greed , i work a high stress high volume profession in the trades , i don't get near the same pay as some guys who walks door to door with envelopes ,nor do i get the same benefits and holidays , and whats sick pay and a pension plan because its certainly nothing that i have .
but at the same time i live in a nice home with a wife and three kids , we have all the toys , so why do these guys deserve more than me , my neighbor , or many friends who have to WORK HARD for a living , what education do you need to sort mail or walk door to door .
plus right at this point of time i have over $500 dollars that is being held for ransom , i'm not a happy person nor are others who are waiting for stuff , this is only going to hurt canada post because there are alternatives such as going digital , or ups fedex etc who are very reliable and can put canada post out of business , so eventually we'll see all these postmen behind the counter at 7/11 because they won't be qualified to do anything else

Aleks
said
0 0

trash is all over the place, recycling companies arent doing what they have to.. postal offices arent working, because unions are too busy waving their ****s in the air striking... but gaypride parades are on time and full force... welcome to canada :)

Maha Lee
said
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For those of you complaining about not receiving your cheques because of the postal strike, I have only one question; why haven't you signed up for direct deposit yet? It's been offered for years now. Then you wouldn't feel so put out by the strike PLUS you would be putting some of those cheque cashing stores out of business, which is a good thing because all they seem to do is charge a lot of money to cash the cheques of poor people thereby compounding finacial woes.

Stefany
said
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Thank God we have the govement we do!! It is about time he puts Canada Post back to work!! Jack Layton should really get out of there! Like he was going to do something better! Canada Post, I know life sucks and it would be nice to be paid more. But let's face it, their are other jobs that are more dangerous! If you get a higher pay, well so will everyone else. Things are already expensive. Where do you think companies will get the money to pay you! I am a mother of four, I understand how you feel but my company would not be able to afford that kind of demands. Go tell my husband that already lost his finger and leg that your job is more stressful than his!

scott
said
0 0

I'm a letter carrier and the negative comments our hurtful. This is the way I see it. The fight is not for myself but for future employees of this company. It could be one of your children or a grandchild that will work here in the future. Beats min wage. So people that don't know our job should keep their mouths shut. We take our job seriously and we take pensions and all the other things in our contract serious. This is why we have union and this why I'm figthing for my rights.To all CUPW members keep up the fight.

Vinnie
said
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Don't give me the nonsense about the posties working through rain and snow. They chose to work for Canada Post and get paid handsomely for their work. Other people also work through their difficulties and challenges. It's the nature of your chosen work. The public is fed up with the posties holding us hostage for their greedy demands. Back to work legislation should have come sooner.

Tanya Clemins
said
0 0

One of the main issues in these negotiations is pension. There are many companies/Unions that are struggling with the mass baby boomers retiring and stocks/funds right now.

This needs to be addressed by our government as a whole and not in spurts when it arises like these and other negotiations.

At least there is a backup plan: If your pensions funds flop, you can just leave the country and return with refugee status and make just as much if not more money.

Bella
said
0 0

I think that the only way negotiations were going to happen if a lockout happened. Negotiations have been taking too long and rotating strikes would have not been effective. I am sorry but the amount of money is more than decent enough to be able to save for an RRSP and live comfortably. I can understand demands of health and safety but money I have an issue with. I see my parents struggling and worker harder than this to make less money than Canada Post employees. In addition, they don't have the luxury of sick days, pensions, health benefits and anything else these employees have. I think there is a time and place for negotiations but the base wage postal workers are more than what it needs to be. Therefore, heres a tip save money now like the majority of hard working Canadians by putting it into an RRSP rather than wanting everything and more. If you don't like the job then don't do it and go find another one. There are people out there that will do it for you. I think one thing to keep in mind that the union is only sufficient if they make the workers go on strike otherwise the workers might realize they do not need a union representing them and they do not need to pay union fees. Thus making them irrelevant in the 21st century!

erik
said
0 0

It is high time that the workers at Canada Post got a dose of reality. I know several postal workers who begin their day at 6 or 7 and are back at home by 11- 12.... paid for 8 hours, free transportation, often coming home with a truck or using it to deliver something personal - wait it must be a Seinfeld episode - no this is reality! Something wrong with that picture! Times are changing! Most of the population are surviving at jobs that pay far less then the starting wage at CP and they have to work hard to obtain it. If these people were in the private sector, they be finished!

Time to overhaul the public sector!

dx
said
0 0

Don't complain about making 10 bucks an hour. If you have the ability, GO MAKE THE MILLIONS. If you can't, don't complain, just look at yourself in the mirror and ask what can you do.
I am by no means a millionaire, just an ordinary citizen. But there is a reason you an an employee and they are employers. Because they can and you can't. Life isn't fair. So don't hide behind a union and try to squeeze everything out of them, and out of the Canadian people. Do your job, like everyone else. We all get what we deserve in life. Stop complaining.

Nicholas
said
0 0

Please hurry up and get the post office working again.

For all those post office employee's who don't like the Employer's terms of employment - get another job! Wait a minute - that's the real problem isn't it! - you people can't get another job that rewards you nearly so much for what you do. UPS, Fedex or other places that do the same thing, have a work force that do the same things for far less. You're fighting to keep what you shouldn't have in the first place.

Canada Post is for Canadians - those people who pay to send items through the mail - we Canadians should not have to give up our hard earned income to pay excess mail costs, just to subsidize your excess remuneration.

Its deeply disturbing that the NDP apparently intends to object to correcting this imbalance. Thank goodness we have a majority Government that can get this done.

AC
said
0 0

This is about PENSIONS people!!! Some of these canada post employees have been working there for 20+ years and have paid for 20+ years into a pension fund (that canada post is trying to cut). Think about it (all you trade workers esp) what if your union suddenly decided to cut YOUR pensions that you have paid into?! Would you support that?!

CanadaEh?
said
0 0

Before the strike started, I received emails from all of the companies that currently send me bills in the mail for the services they provide me. All of them suggested I switch to their online billing system to avoid any issues with my payment due to the potential strike. Well, I took their advice and moved them all over to their online system. Looks like whenever the strike is over, there will be less mail to deliver to my house. Anyone see a trend here? I am still a bit worried though....what if the Internet becomes unhappy with all the extra bits and bytes that it now has to carry to my house due to moving my bills online? What will happen if there's a snowstorm and the Internet has to deliver my bits and bytes up my icy walkway? What will happen if the Internet doesn't like carrying my bits and bytes past my barking dog? Wait.....Hold on a second..... the Internet doesn't care about ANY of that! When the company you work for is in an industry that is declining, you can't expect things to get better for you (or even stay the same for that matter....). Wake up.

Julie
said
0 0

What does the union suggest Canada Post does about the deficit they continue to run in? They have to make changes to the pay scale, and benefits in order to be a functional business. If something doesn't change now, Canada Post will be headed towards bankrupsty.

Pat
said
0 0

We know our Federal HST remittance is due on June 30th. As we are small business owners: if we have no postal delivery, we will have a real struggle paying our remittance on time as our customer base is very transient and hard to get money from, except thru the post. We're sure the Feds will want their money and that we are not the only ones whose HST payment is due, thus also spurning the need for back to work legislation. We add that we resent our business being "locked down" because of circumstance beyond our control, to heck with all the politics involved!

Dj60
said
0 0

We don't care what its about . You have a job deal with it .

Bryan
said
0 0

My understanding is the lockout was initiated by the Canada Post. It is the company's fault but so many blame the workers...

M.M.B. Ont
said
0 0

Working conditions and safety issues...Humbug!! Since Canada Post is a Crown corp, both these issues would not be allowed to exist ! And a starting wage of $17.00 and hr is nothing to sneeze at when so many are unemployed. And I can bet there are many on the picket lines that do not want to be there and need the money that they are losing, however the union doesn't care do they? The Union leader is just interested in his own job! The lockout is justified given who started the rotating strikes to disrupt the system.

Leesiana
said
0 0

I agree with the legislation and I agree with getting rid of Unions.. and I'm a letter carrier with Canada Post. I've had my job for 15 years, and am still appreciative EVERY day that I have a job. Despite what people "think" this job does require skills, as the ol' saying goes... don't judge someone till you've walked in his shoes. ALL of the letter carriers I know WANT to work, and did NOT want to stop working to begin with. We do NOT do picket lines, as we do not back the strike or the demands being asked by the Union. WE do NOT have a VOTE. The Union speaks for us... we DID NOT have a choice to join or not join the Union. If you people out there who continue to say "we would do the job" well ... welcome to the Union because you HAVE TO PAY your dues in TWO ways ! one: with money, one: with them speaking for you. NO CHOICE. Furthermore... I think we are fortunate for the benefits that we receive and do not need anything increased. However, it's like spoiling a child, and then suddenly saying...NO, you are not getting that, AND I'm taking back everything given to you. If you want to make changes, don't try to go backwards, just start from where you are at. At least leave things the way they are, nothing more, nothing less. Both sides, give and take. I agree with the company reviewing starting wages for new hires...as they do have to make changes & from the comments I've read here, the jobs would fill easily!

Seka
said
0 0

Arbitrator settlement harmfull to canada post? Probably not as harmfull as the amount of people and places that have switched to private carriers suck as ups and such. I have been using ups regular parcel service and will not be switching back. The prices are reasoanble, tracking system is on point and accurate and items are delivered directly to my front door not to mention great customer service! The truth is snail mail is on the way out and to demand more out of a shrinking corporation is unreasonable. People need to be realistic. There are many people out there that would jump on the opportunity to replace them. They need to stop hiding behind a union, and maybe if they took some initiative to improve their company all the way from customer service to delivery canada post could surpass a police officers salary for mail delivery because deliviring mail can be dangerous.

Dave
said
0 0

I Second Syl!

Normally I support the NDP and abhore everything the Conservatives do. But a working Postal System is a necessity and must be resolved now!

If Canada Post and the Union couldn't work anything out in months of negotiations; what makes anyone think they can do better now?

Liberal Albertan
said
0 0

Most Canadians have to save their money and plan for their retirement if they want to be able to retire. As an every day person I think it's ludicrous the sense of entitlement that these overpaid, under-educated people have. The service they provide is terrible and inattentive, and in the "real world" they'd not receive nearly the entitlements they do as a result of their union. Kudos to the government for putting an end to the Unions manipulation.

Gary
said
0 0

All these posts here suggest that the government should make the workers go back to work. The government is the one who locked the workers out of their jobs. The posties on the picket line are there to work. It's amazing that the public perception is that posties don't appreciate their jobs and are refusing to work.It's the employer who has complained about loosing money in rotating strikes that stop the mail for one day, in any given city. The Corporation then decides to stop all mail in every city across Canada for cost reasons. Canada Post has done this to the public not the workers. The union was not willing to completely stop mail to your door, the corporation did and now everyone complains about it like it's the workers fault.

Bob
said
0 0

You make 17 dollars an hour, have a pension that is backed by public funds and you get seven weeks off a year...I hope you all lose your jobs and have to go work for a company that is funded by sales and not by the tax paying public. The 40 hour work week you do not even have to work, try 50-60 hours a week on salary with no overtime. Try no pension unless you take your money and hire someone to help you manage it on your own. Try no sick days. Try making your numbers or losing your job with no one standing behind you. Try quarterly layoffs and fear of losing ones job weekly based on the company's "performance". Try having 2 weeks off work and being scared to even ask for a day off because you want the company to see that you know how important your job is to you. You people are delusional if you think you have even one single person in this country behind you who is not already an employee of Canada Post. I say we privatize the service and then maybe we'll see some changes. Its the worst postal system in the G8 and yet we cater to these people as though we need them. We do NOT. We need less government and crown corporation owned companies delivering services in our country. I was ready to give up and move after the transportation strike, now I am actively applying for work in other countries. Kiss away 50K a year in my tax money you will not see for the next 20 years Ottawa!!

J
said
0 0

It's all theatre. The Government is corrupt. The workers are fat and lazy. Play yourself some nice classic jazz music, turn the TV down and watch it play out. Only george Carlin could turn a postcard of Alcatraz into a lovenote...

D in Calgary
said
0 0

If the CP employees don't want to work, I will, and I'll do it for the $17/hr for the number of hours worked.
I understand that there is are issues to resolve, but a strike helps no one. In fact, it is only hurting you more as the public is more reliant on private companies (UPS/Purolator) and electronic mail.
I hope the government does force them back and that they end up with a lesser deal than they are fighting for.
We are waiting for a cheque that is desperately needed by my household. It is sitting in CP limbo since it isn't a government issue and wont get special treatment. Canada Post will no longer get the bulk of my shipping, I have lost faith and patience with their spoiled brat attitude.

robin hood
said
0 0

Wrong wrong and wrong�could someone please press play because you�re all stuck on repeat! Since I sound like a broken record I�ll let it pass, this time! The government has no business stepping in to wipe out 40 years of fight stripping these workers of their right to collective bargaining anyone who thinks differently is incapable of seeing the bigger picture worse are simply incapable of seeing the trees for the forest! No matter how inconvenienced you are at this time you fail to see the impact of what is to come if government gets their way. Slow and sure our rights are being eroded through legislation�try seeing tomorrow and the day after that�your kids�their kid can you see where I�m going here! This is not about today�or your miseries today! I know fighting is ugly, it�s messing but sometimes you need to fight. If ever we needed to fight for our rights it�s now�today, so that were assured our rights will be there tomorrow! Tossing around insults and belittling these workers because of their choice of job really reflects poorly on you� allowing your lack of �intelligence� to shine through not theirs!

self employed
said
0 0

As a home based self-employed person, I rely upon Canada Post to provide an efficient and economical means to ship our product. 75% of our clients are in the US and another 15% are elsewhere around the world. We dealt with the rotating strike as it really had no effect other than an extra day for parcel delivery. The lock out however, has completely shut us down. Going with a courier service (FedEx etc...) is not a viable option as the brokerage fees are expensive. With hard copy mail service on the decline and costs going up, both sides need to sit down and come up with a solution that will allow Canada Post to survive. If the wages stay this high, there may not be jobs with Canada Post in the future. A salary based wage would be better than the promised 8 hr day pay that is in place now. I for one would be elated to have an $18/hr job with benefits!!

I support the middle class, not corporate GREED!!!
said
0 0

I'm not a postie, but I am totally disgusted with these big business's taking away employees benefits all the for name of corporate GREED!If we all give into the people at the top, that make multi-millions,we will all be working for $10 and hour, with no medical, dental, vacation days etc.Canada Post, makes money, they are not in the red, like the US postal system,Canadians, Union or non-Union, our fore-fathers fought for our human rights. Corporate Greed is wiping out the middle class!!!!!!! As for ignorant people on here, saying Posties hardly work, most start at 5am in the morning, sorting mail, they are allowed to work through breaks and lunch, so they can get off an hour early. I can't believe the stupid comments some of you idiots are leaving on here, maybe all you lazy bums should try doing a Posties job for a week and see how you do, through the wind, rain and snow.

D6
said
0 0

So Canada Post and the CUPW were scheduled to meet on Sunday, but face-to-face talks failed to materialize.

They sure have no problem letting me stand out in the friggin rain!!!

Denis-get off your ass and get us back to work!!!

fed up
said
0 0

To Dear Lynn, I read your comments and I feel they are out of touch with reality. I worked for 8 years for a company and I left do to terminal heart disease and I left without any benefits at all. Thank God my wife is working were there is a union and she gets 100% on medication. Unions are the back bone of the working poor and they are there to protect the poor workers against employers who could not careless about your well being . That is why if you have a union you can retire with peace of mind but that is why so many work past 65 is because if they do not work they will starve on there small gov. pension because it does not pay enough to pay the rent , bills and food. Unions should be treated with respect and not with abuse by our society.

Dalton Harris
said
0 0

Looks like nobody in the comment section is in a Union or is just disgruntled that their parcel(s) has been halted.

If your boss said I'm giving you a raise to $100/h, I doubt any of you would say "No, $20/h is fine, that is what I am used to living on".

A business does have the right to manage and to try and make maximum profits, but if there was a huge overabundance of an unemployed work force, you can bet that most jobs would be paying minimum wage.

James Anderson
said
0 0

Canada Post is, quite possibly, the most useless postal service in the western world. It routinely takes them upwards of a week to get a 1 pound package from Windsor, Ontario, to Ottawa, Ontario. Let's not even get into a cross-country item, or the fact that their tracking information is never updated or updated incorrectly.

In my humble opinion they should start complaining about not getting enough money when they actually start providing a modern and timely postal delivery service. Until that time, they'll have absolutely no sympathy from me, or the majority of residents.

linda
said
0 0

going crazy waiting for my mail but thats okay..All unions are not bad yes they protect some of the worst in the lot employees after they make probation. But I union will help with unfair practices your employer may try. Like we suspect stealing but cant provide the proof it is you, so you are fired. a process id followed for the integretity of both parties. Yes Canada Post is a bit out dated but the right to work and the right to make money go hand in hand. to the rest of canada we could be like BC the whole province is union. I have worked in and out of unions and with your job you take the good with the bad. Just show up and do what is expected Hopefully the back to work is about the lock out not the bottom line.

Shawn
said
0 0

I'm a postal employee and i look forward to the legislation to send us back to work.. we are not over-worked... we are not under-paid.... we have a sick-leave policy thats riddled with abuse... we have too many whiners and not enough didicated employees... a 25% decrease in our work-force would not interfer with customer service it would just give us a good days work too do !! This union must GO!!!

The Purrple Helmet
said
0 0

First off the comments ... your lucky to have a job, this is astounding that someone would post this on here when they have no idea what the job entails. I feel sorry for the Term employees that will be starting a $18 dollars, with no chance of long term employment the way Canada post is working Letter Carriers to the Bone. I encourage all these people on here that hide behind there computer screens to apply for a job as a carrier. I guarantee they won't last 6 months!

Linda Ford
said
0 0

Hire women and pay them less. That's what everyone else does.

Colin
said
0 0

This is about pensions. It's about how will you survive when your 65 and you have to retire. I think everyone should forfeit their pensions if they feel like they should get back to work. This is the governments way of cutting back, by making sure you cannot survive when your 65. All hail our neo-nazi conservative party.

Gottfrid Janze
said
0 0

Let us all remember, this is not a strike. The employer locked the doors and told it's employees to leave. The legislation should be reprimanding the employer, I am sure the employees would love to be working. As to comments that the employees should be grateful for what the employer wants to give them, it is kind of like saying "I should be grateful I am only being kicked in the shins, at least I am not being kicked in the head". Come on folks! The purpose of good paying jobs is to help lift all those around us. When was the last time low paying insecure jobs bought houses, cars and sent children to university? Think it through.

Vonn in Calgary
said
0 0

To all who have commented:
a) The main fight is not about the wages, CPC workers know they get a decent wage. It's about health and safety and pensions and a two tier system.
b) You have never tried letter carrying have you? I tried it, I hated it, and kudos to those who can do it. It is not easy, and I would never do it again. Sure, super mail boxes are definitely easier to deliver to, but there are still lots of routes that are walking routes. And no, I am not pro union, I just think people should know what they are talking about before they start talking.

Polar Den Mother
said
0 0

If Pension Cheques were electronically deposited and alternative shipping methods re-negotiated, I believe Canada would do well without a postal service. Posties whom sort mail could then roll pennies for a living like the rest of us. We'd save billions of dollars worth of junk-mail & flyers, meaning millions & millions of OUR trees would remain standing, showing us clearly which scenario is truly worth more to us... and our green future. Most Love from your Polar Den Mother

Jason
said
0 0

It seems that the people commenting here have forgotten that the Union was using rotating strikes so that mail delivery was not stopped. An extra day or two did not impact my mail service. It was the employer who locked them out and has stopped mail service all together. Why blame the Posties when it was Management who has caused your problems?

amarsukh
said
0 0

Dear postal workers pl realise the problems publis is facing with your strike still you are getting agood salary than 90% of toatal canadian employs;hunger never dies even after getting 28$ per hour you still want more think about those better educated than you are working at 1`9.25 per hour . Now most of people want the govt to become strict and trow you all out of service and alot of people are ready to join postal services at 15$ per hour

Syl
said
0 0

The NDP and Layton are not listening to the people of Canada. We want the postal employees back to work - NOW!!!!

Mark U
said
0 0

Our business, which sells online via ebay & amazon and ships via Canada Post, has been literally CRUSHED by this labor dispute. We are a very small company DEPENDENT on continuous maintenance of day-to-day cash flow. We do NOT have the reserves to weather this storm. Five families are at risk. To put salt in the wound, Canada Post employees make twice as much and have secure jobs.

Mike
said
0 0

My PAYCHECK is in the mail somewhere... I NEED my paycheck as I have this really hardcore addiction to eating and sleeping indoors. Hurry up Harper and break the union, I voted for you.

Tom
said
0 0

Nobody force CPC workers to work. If they are so unhappy, go look for another job and be happy.

Kim
said
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We are a small trade business that relies on the mail for payment of invoices. I can't pay venders or staff until the strike ends. No one in our firm makes 17.00 hr there are no benefits and no one gets paid for time off. Our employees have certifi ates and work very hard at labour intensive jobs. Why should they go without a pay cheque so the postal workers can have greater benefits they don't deserve. We have all suffered during this recession why shouldn't postal workers

Linda
said
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I am married to a postie who believes and knows first hand that its time to get the union out of the company. They mismanage their own finances and use bullying tactics in the workplace and try to fear people. I know of key scratches on managers vehicles, false accusations being made and there are a lot of people who abuse the system. It's about time they get forced back to work and its the small businesses that are paying the price.

Annoyed Single Mom
said
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My income tax refund, hst rebate and child tax benefit are all sitting in a postal depot or mailbox somewhere. As a single mother, I rely on these monies to support my children. I am furious with both our government and Canada Post. Despite advances in technology, mail remains an essential service! Enough is enough!

lynn
said
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To all you haters, yah us postal workers want to be working too. We all love our jobs and know how good we have it. What is wrong with keeping what we have?
Does anyone believe in equality anymore? What about four years from now when new hires make 15 dollars an hour or four years from then when you make 12$ lIve as a single person in vancouver for that wage.. You all dis the customer service now and say how lazy us workers are?? What kinda service will you receive then!!! This is bigger than us ! Come do our job before you make your comments!

Marc
said
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Well because they shut down earlier last week, I was guaranteed to not receive a parcel I needed for this week. I now have the feeling the other things I ordered will be lost in the mail system thanks to a build up of mail. Great job to a union made up of crooks and thieves.

Candice
said
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The government owns Canada Post. They can order the posties back whenever they want...What does the union have anything to do with this argument?

Don Hanke
said
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Want to talk fare ! So much for negotiation between Canada Post and the union. when there is a inpass the union has the right to strike. But how can it be fare when an Government agency locks out the employees and then the same Government uses back-to-work legislation to get them back to work.So much for negotiations sounds more like a dictatorship.

MikeW
said
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Jack is going to vote against the bill, surprise surprise. Even though you are official opposition you have less power than you did before the election. At least back then your vote could have made a difference.

Jim Lad
said
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Send them back to work or fire them.I'm good with either outcome.

Brandon
said
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They get paid the most amount of money, for the least amount of skills/training, than just about anyone in this country. It's pathetic. We have the highest postal rates in the industrialized world, with the slowest/worst delivery service(s) standards, and yet they want 'more'? Give me a break. I am a member of a Union myself, but we don't protect, nor hire, nor encourage, laziness. They complain about losing some jobs over the past couple of years, when 1,000x as many jobs in the private sector were lost in the same time period. Get back to work.

mining guy Jim
said
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Sorry. Locked out vs. on strike...If they "Unlocked" you would you be back to work tomorrow? I doubt it. Workplace conditions? You live and work in Canada. Every year Canada falls into the top 3 of the best places to live and work in the world. Workplace safety? Don't stick your finger in the rubber-band machine. Wear overshoes with studs in the winter so you don't slip on the ice. Simple. Come work a mile underground with me and we can discuss workplace hazards. I actually have a lot of respect for you letter carriers who are there every day, slugging it out through whatever Ma Nature throws at you, but enough whining from the Union and the folks in the sorting room OK?

Nicole
said
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The greedy employees of Canada Post make me sick. Aprreciate what you have and if you don't like it then quit because I am POSITIVE that Canada Post will find someone that will do your job with a SMILE

steven
said
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greedy cp union, shameless NDP shameless shameless

inMoncton
said
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You people are all jealous, ignorant and uninformed and have no idea about what this is all about.

RK
said
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Great news! Binding arbitration is a great tool, and one that will see both sides benefit. I personally support unions, but striking and lock outs help no one. Work stoppages are an archaic tool from a bygone era; they hurt the company, the employees, and the customers. Binding arbitration is a far and equitable tool that makes sure everyones interests are addressed. My company has been using binding arbitration for 20 years now when an agreement cannot be made, and it is great to know my source of income will not be affected should an agreement be nowhere in sight. Now, lets all get back to work!

Stu
said
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I was looking at a career change not too long ago & I looked at working for Canada post. Unfortunately with the little money they're paid I wouldn't have been able to make ends meet. They do deserve a raise, they don't make anywhere near what politicians make & they got a raise. Come on Canada be fair to your public servants.

Shara
said
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People here have no idea what is actually going on at Canada Post and what the Union is fighting for. It's so easy to sit back and make ignorant comments just for the plain simple reason you're being 'inconvenienced'. PS. Most Posties do NOT work less than 8 hours and in fact work hours late due to mail demands. Because of this fact, most retire with permanent injuries to make sure you get your mail in time. If you think you can do the job, go for it. If you think the work conditions are that amazing then why aren't you there?

Tammy
said
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My 17 year old daughter was shocked to learn what CP employees get paid. She assumed that it was in the range of the fast food industry. Canadians are tired of big wages for unskilled work. If you don't like the offer - get another job. There are lots of people out there who would be willing to accept the current CP offer.

Tom
said
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These positions are redundant. Most people use electronic means or cell phones to communicate or pay bills. For those who complain about cards or mail not being sent, pick up the telephone and speak in person to someone. Postal delivery once a week is more than enough. Get rid of these bums and hire people who want to work.

P Jackson
said
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I wonder how many people and businesses have completely switched to email because of this. Revenue is going to go down so they better sign a longterm deal because their future is about as bright as a guy that used to changes films in the movie theatre!

Joe
said
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It is a shame that the NDP decided to put forward a motion for poverty of senors in order to stall the Canada Post legistration motion. Means that we will like have to wait quite a while longer to get our mail.

JimDad
said
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Send them back to work now. They are well paid for what they do. If anyone does not want to go back to work, fire them. A lot of people out there would love to earn $ 17.00 or more per hour. With the salary and benefits postal workers have they are more than well paid.

eddytoronto
said
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This is evolving into a panic atmosphere....it is clear that threats are being used .....Goverment always uses force. ..Goverment takes personal income tax by force they dont trust us to pay it so they take it from our check before you get it. Property Tax- if you dont pay the goverment will kick you out of your house. If you dont leave your house they will SWAT and Kill You...FORCE and THREATS is all they know....The people will eventually get tired of it and FIGHT!

Dianne McGlade
said
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I believe that the Mail Service should be deemed an essential service and that the Government should legislate them back to work ASAP. They didn't waste any time legislating Air Canada Staff back to work, which to me should also be an essential service. I believe that the Unions are getting toooooooooo strong and have no regard for the general public, especially at a time when the economy is still very fragile.

Go Conservative Government!!
said
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My online business has taken a real hit sales have dropped over 75% and it will take time to regain customer confidence. International buyers are afraid to purchase Canada right now for fear of how the package will be delivered. Enough of this strike get them (employees and Canada Post) back to work!! This crown corp and union is holding the public hostage being that they are the only carrier that can deliver oversized lettermail and certain types of items. If they are alowed to strike and lock out then they should not hold a monopoly over certain types of services for mail delivery. Everyone is bashing the Harper Government because of this back to work legislation but lets face it's that Conservative government is doing the employees and the crown corp a big favor. The longer they are not operating the more business they loose and most for good because alot of businesses will not go back and then what work force adjustmjents...your worried about job security (people don't use unrelaible services) customer confidence is down etc... be grateful they are stepping in to ensure some type of job security for you going forward if this ends quickly. Not only are the employees to benefit by going back to work sooner and hopefully still have jobs that are required by the public needing this service but the Canadian public have a right to this service without interruptions. The NDP and Liberals would see this to the death to only oppose the Conservatives and we would see the demise of CPC and the demise and devestation of these employees. Go Majority Converstaives!!!!

Kate. Kamloops, BC
said
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I wish that they could just hurry up and settle...I am a single mom who is a full time year round student that depends on my student loans coming in! And until this is settled there is nothing I can do, since a loan agreement has to be witnessed being signed by a canada post agent...As far as I am concerned they are being a bit ridiculus. They make alot better money than many ppl who are struggling everyday, and the hours aren`t bad either..it would be nice if everyone got paid full days for 4 hours! I think they need to settle quickly themselves or I hope they are legislated back to work right away

Lorne
said
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It's apparent that both sides don't know what negotiation is - a matter of give and take on both sides.We don't know what all the issues are that have created this stalemate. However issues are put on the negotiating table. Some are withdrawn in exchange for a concession on another issue and the bargaining continues.Both sides should realize that concessions are a part of the process. Obviously, neither side understands this!!!!!!!!!Unions should realize that you can't afford " to break the bank " in order to get what you want.Management should realize that if there is room to manoeuvre, you do so as long as it is fiscally responsible to do it.Common sense has to prevail.

stacey
said
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So... Anyway.. Is there mail delivery today?

Ann
said
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It's shameful that a mail carrier starts out making more per hour than a volunteer fireman.

Don - Edmonton
said
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I run a small business out of my home and am waiting on close to $15,000 in cheques that are "in the mail". I wonder if the Canada Post employees got paid by mail if they would strike!

Pete
said
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The last line on the article say's it all, working conditions, wages and pensions for new employees. If you do not get back to work soon there will be no need for "New Employees" because we will not need them. WAKE UP.You are the ones loosing money.So long summer vacation.

Barbara
said
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Perhaps Canadian Postees should count their blessings they have a job; unlike other Canadians.
They are ungrateful and lazy.
Stop whinning & get back to work.

Ziggy
said
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Wait!.... there’s a Postal Strike? Never noticed, ZERO impact on me, download Ebills, Electronic deposit. What is left of your workload will even further be diminished by new innovations that come out of dealing with this strike by those that are actually affected. In this Economy everyone is looking for ways to save money, your strike has now put the spotlight on mail delivery and whether it is even required or how else it can be done.What you should be doing is working with Canada post to find ways for your people to stay employed.

Kingo Brown
said
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There is indeed something ironic here. Thousands of Canadians are looking for work and can't find it. Meanwhile, in the case of Canada Post workers, the Government has to force them to work. Perhaps the two groups should trade places.

Philip C. in Calgary
said
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The NDP would have a hard time justifying their opposition to the legislation if the two sides are not even talking to each other. The two sides know that the legislation is coming and they said they would negotiate on the weekend - but they did nothing. If you won't even speak to each other, you do not really give the government any choice, do you?

Kahlua
said
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I stopped caring about their fight when my packages stopped coming. If they are looking for support, they better find a better way to get their point across, or the rest of us will find a better way to ship our products. There won't be much left to negotiate when the lay-offs start.Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads who didn't receive their gifts, cards, and care packages!

keithwilli
said
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they should either send them back to work tomorrow or replace them with someone who will appreciate a good paying reliable union govt job.there are many many people out there that would be more than happy with their work conditions and wage.

Lynn
said
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Good they need to get back to work or else let me do their job, I'm not working a would $17.00 a hour to do it, also when Harper sends them back to work he should also kick all unions in this country to the curb, they are all out dated, and don't protect the right people, just because you have a hire date, does not make a good employee, they know they have job protection and that is part of the biggest problem with all strikes in this country. Kick em to the curb.

Dean in Abby
said
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I sincerely hope that Canada Post stands firm and doesn't give in to anything. In fact, now is the time to take back some of the ridiculous wages and benefits that earlier weaker management gave to the alleged "hard working" carriers. What a joke. If the job is so dangerous, unhealthy and whatever other whining you guys have about it, I have a suggestion for you. If CP takes away all home delivery and delivers to neighbourhood boxes instead, this should help you out. Next, deliver to areas once weekly just like garbage pick up. No one complains about once weekly garbage pick up so this won't be an issue. Businesses could still get door delivery because there are generally no dogs, vicious cats etc to impede your dangerous job. Plus, you get to ride in a delivery vehicle so you don't have to lug 30 lbs of mail around. Then, most likely, CP could possibly actually get a solid 8 hours of work from you.Yep, Canada Post needs to stand firm here and put an end to union domination of our mail system. Remember folks, the tail doesn't wag the dog! Unions get no sympathy or support from most of us. Go back to work while you still have a job.

Edward Earnshaw
said
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I believe in the federal government's ongoing decision to to get the Canada Post's employees back to work - considering there are so many people in this country who can't even afford food on the table that work and their children being affected the most - sometimes you just need to appreciate for what you have - not for what you want.

Bob,Calgary,Alberta
said
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How is $17./hour an inferior wage for a person who has no skills?? Denis Lemelin is a typical power hungry union leader. They are all cut from the same piece of cloth.

robin bannon
said
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it would be nice if the posties realized what a good job they actually have. Some work less than 8 hours a day and are paid a full day.(and I'm married to a postie btw) I only get paid when I work and I have NO sick days.
There is some validity to their plight but I think they need to see the big picture

sandy
said
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I wish they would get back to work.I have 3 birthday cards sitting around, that have missed their date. I have two parcels, that I ordered. I am fed up with strikes!

Jim-Surrey
said
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Even though Canada Post is inadequate it should be an "essential service" as it is a government job!

fed up
said
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My late father was an inside postal worker and with all do respect to these great workers I really want these people to go back to work and if the gov. as to force them back so be it. I do understand they are fighting for there future benefits that they deserve but sometimes people in this country are getting fed up with being held hostage by Unions and other organizations and many want Canada Post and OcTranspo to be declared an essential service so that any future talks be done behind close doors and settle without any service interruptions and I do not blame the people in this country at all for there anger.

Dan
said
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This strike has cost Canadian Businesses hundreds of millions of dollars. It is unbelieveable that this is allowed to happen; especially when most businesses can least afford it. Most businesses won't forget this episode and are already making arrangements to shift their reliance on the postal service so that they will never again be used as a pawns and held hostage to postal labour disputes.

Craig
said
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I look forward to the return to work legislation so my shipping costs can return to normal. It's been an expensive week!