Postal strike could leave Canada without mail service....

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Postal strike could leave Canada without mail service next week

http://www.montrealgazette.com/Postal+s ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

MONTREAL — Canadians may find their mailboxes empty starting next Wednesday if postal workers proceed with a threat to walk off the job.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said it may exercise its right to strike on May 25 if a deal cannot be reached with Canada Post.

About 48,000 mail carriers and inside postal workers would be off the job.

The union and Canada Post are at an impasse in bargaining on several key issues.

One of the issues is a salary reductions for new employees.

The company wants to reduce labour costs by reducing the salary of new employees from $24 an hour to $17.50, according to the union.

“We are in mediation and our goal is to get a collective agreement, but it is hard to say what will happen,” said Denis Lemelin, the president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

Lemelin said Canada Post has brought in new technology to sort the mail resulting in changing working conditions for letter carriers.

Close to 20,000 of Canada Post’s 48,000 unionized workers are eligible to retire over the next 10 years.

Although the points of call, or new addresses, are increasing by about 240,000 a year because of new homes and condos, addressed mail is decreasing about 1.5 per cent a year.

Canada Post spokesperson Jon Hamilton said employees have some of the “best wages and benefits in Canada.”

Although the company wants to pay new employees a lower wage, they would still have a competitive wage and benefits package, he said.

“Canada Post is facing declining mail volumes and declining revenue,” Hamilton said. “We are committed to serving all Canadians and don’t want to be a drain on the taxpayer.”

If there is a strike, mail and parcels will not be delivered.

However, Canada Post has an agreement with the union to continue delivering unemployment and welfare cheques, pensions and other social assistance cheques.

The last postal strike occurred in 1997.

The Canadian Bankers Association has put up a statement on its website reminding customers that they are still responsible for making their regular payments for credit cards, mortgages and other loans even if they do not receive their statements due to a mail strike.

The association is encouraging customers to sign up for online banking.

Banking bills that are normally paid through the mail can be paid through online or telephone banking or at a bank branch. Payment dates and amounts for credit cards, mortgages and other loans can be obtained through telephone or online banking or at a bank branch.

[Wessex]

I make 24 dollars canadian round about £15.32 an hour

[NWpostie]

I make 24 dollars canadian round about £15.32 an hour

I thought that, Canadians are usually paid better than the US, cost of living a bit higher in Canada tho.

[Wessex]

Basic lager is 3 quid a pint , I'm emigrating.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Basic lager is 3 quid a pint , I'm emigrating.

According to this website London Canada is more expensive when it comes to beer than London UK.

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/co ... rrency=£" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I make 24 dollars canadian round about £15.32 an hour

Just found this interesting snippet in a reply to a news story about the strikes that where looming at Canada Post this month:

Did I have good benefits? Yes I did, BUT I paid for every one of them,,money well spent. Deductions from my paycheck were, fed income tax,can pension plan,employment insurance,CUPW dues, Canada post pension,Extended health care plan,Dental plan,Basic life,Disability insurance,CUPW insurance, GST on all applicable fees. After they took $400-500. off my pay, my take home pay was $950-1100. EVERY TWO WEEKS.

So they have a lot pay, but by heck they sure have a lot of deductions straight from pay. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/201 ... trike.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;