Another Canada Post strike?

[subban7677]

This could go months. They can't even agree if Canada Post is a viable business anymore. I usually support the workers in these disputes, but holy cow do they ever need to get their heads out of their posteriors. Canada Post is dead without major changes. The union stupidly seems to want the status quo...and raises.

[RGM81]

Just in case anyone is looking at cashing out from COMC (and with the tariffs in place, why wouldn't you!? LOL)...

With another Canada Post strike looming, COMC has started using alternate carriers. Learn more about your options.

Alternative shipping options for customers in Canada

The collective agreement between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers is set to expire this Thursday, May 22. Should that agreement lapse, we can expect immediate mail disruption as well as delays on all orders, just as we experienced at the end of last year.

Last week, as a precaution, COMC began using alternate carriers wherever possible. However, most Economy packages are still being shipped via Canada Post and could be subject to delays stemming from the labor dispute.

[cjb]

hmmmmm...

https://chitchats.com/

[RGM81]

Merging this with the Canada Post strike thread since it's connected and otherwise posting a link like this with zero context throws up red flags.

[Cunnuc]

Chit Chats mails through Canada Post, just at a much cheaper rate. That is what I thought. Canada Post down doesn't Chit Chats go down? (Just checked their website again, they use everyone apparently)

I wish I lived closer to a Chit Chats location. I even thought about perhaps moving to Aurora because I do not want to live in Toronto just for access to a Chit Chats.

[30ranfordfan]

What a mess.

I'm still confused why the government won't just force them into arbitration - because I don't believe this is going to be a dispute that's resolved easily.

If it was just a problem of wages / benefits - the strike last time would have paid for a comprise on Canada Post's end (i.e. not paying anyone for weeks, it saves you a bunch of money).

I do not believe that Canada Post (or any crown corporation, for that matter) necessarily needs to operate like a "real" business. There is a great value to the public, being able to send something to any corner of the country for a relatively modest sum. It's okay of Canada Post costs taxpayers money each year, at least IMO.

Having said that, the union really needs to accept that a lot has changed in the last 20 years, and it's not going back. While I believe they are right to be standing up for good paying jobs, and good benefits for the members - they also need to accept that the need for 5 days-a-week home delivery is LONG gone. Things like Super Boxes (which is the only way I've gotten any mail in the last 30 years) make things easier, and more secure. There is no good reason not to put them in everywhere they make sense, and make the whole process more efficient.

I loath businesses eliminating full time positions in favor of part time ones (it's done as a way to get out of benefits) - but I full time employee could have five routes, a different one each day. Express deliveries could be daily, but cost a premium.

Canada Post should have a MASSIVE advantage over other carriers, because they're delivering parcels to places that they're delivering other things to anyway. They should stop wasting their time worrying about the contents of a package, and simply focus on size & weight, and method of delivery. Small packages that can be delivered to a Superbox, should cost slightly more than a letter to mail (yes, I'm talking about small bubble mailers, or boxes) - because they could take back that volume from other carriers, because nobody could do it cheaper.

Having said that, I'd cut home delivery to once per week. Let everyone know what their day is, and that's the end of it. If something is critical to get to you sooner, then have it shipped express.

If the union believe changing the fundamental way the business runs is a no-go, this is (once again) going to be a long, drawn out fight.

[moose7766]

In essence, CP management WANTS the strike to happen. That's why they rejected the union's offer of having 2 weeks to consider the last offer from CP management.

The reason is simply this: if the workers strike, CP doesnt have to pay them. This will go on for a month. Consider the union wants a 13% wage increase over 4 years. if they sit out a month, youve basically stockpiled money for the wage increase when deal is signed. This is significant because Canada Post is essentially broke. If it was me, I would never offer the union a 4 year deal. 2, maybe 3 years max. B/C the business model they are operating under is flawed, and 4 years is to long if it keeps going south for them. Which it will. The one absolute in this is, both CP management and the union no idea how to adapt to a modern reality. They operate as if it's 1968. And their managers are too set in their ways to change.

Door to door mail delivery should, I agree, be no more than 2 days a week max. This end of their operation is a loss leader. They will lose money on it, but they have to focus on parcel deliveries/packages. That's where they have a big advantage over their competitors. But they also need to at least break even. It's not good enough to be a drain on taxpayer funds when it doesnt need to be. Same with CBC, where revenue is almost regarded as a dirty word. if you're running your operation properly, you will make money.
In any event, CP will eventually be sold. it's inevitable someone like Fed-Ex or DHL buys them. And what a buy that will be. CP has the network, infrastructure, the brick and mortar establishments, distribution all in place.

What a mess.

I'm still confused why the government won't just force them into arbitration - because I don't believe this is going to be a dispute that's resolved easily.

If it was just a problem of wages / benefits - the strike last time would have paid for a comprise on Canada Post's end (i.e. not paying anyone for weeks, it saves you a bunch of money).

I do not believe that Canada Post (or any crown corporation, for that matter) necessarily needs to operate like a "real" business. There is a great value to the public, being able to send something to any corner of the country for a relatively modest sum. It's okay of Canada Post costs taxpayers money each year, at least IMO.

Having said that, the union really needs to accept that a lot has changed in the last 20 years, and it's not going back. While I believe they are right to be standing up for good paying jobs, and good benefits for the members - they also need to accept that the need for 5 days-a-week home delivery is LONG gone. Things like Super Boxes (which is the only way I've gotten any mail in the last 30 years) make things easier, and more secure. There is no good reason not to put them in everywhere they make sense, and make the whole process more efficient.

I loath businesses eliminating full time positions in favor of part time ones (it's done as a way to get out of benefits) - but I full time employee could have five routes, a different one each day. Express deliveries could be daily, but cost a premium.

Canada Post should have a MASSIVE advantage over other carriers, because they're delivering parcels to places that they're delivering other things to anyway. They should stop wasting their time worrying about the contents of a package, and simply focus on size & weight, and method of delivery. Small packages that can be delivered to a Superbox, should cost slightly more than a letter to mail (yes, I'm talking about small bubble mailers, or boxes) - because they could take back that volume from other carriers, because nobody could do it cheaper.

Having said that, I'd cut home delivery to once per week. Let everyone know what their day is, and that's the end of it. If something is critical to get to you sooner, then have it shipped express.

If the union believe changing the fundamental way the business runs is a no-go, this is (once again) going to be a long, drawn out fight.

[subban7677]

What a mess.

I'm still confused why the government won't just force them into arbitration - because I don't believe this is going to be a dispute that's resolved easily.

If it was just a problem of wages / benefits - the strike last time would have paid for a comprise on Canada Post's end (i.e. not paying anyone for weeks, it saves you a bunch of money).

I do not believe that Canada Post (or any crown corporation, for that matter) necessarily needs to operate like a "real" business. There is a great value to the public, being able to send something to any corner of the country for a relatively modest sum. It's okay of Canada Post costs taxpayers money each year, at least IMO.

Having said that, the union really needs to accept that a lot has changed in the last 20 years, and it's not going back. While I believe they are right to be standing up for good paying jobs, and good benefits for the members - they also need to accept that the need for 5 days-a-week home delivery is LONG gone. Things like Super Boxes (which is the only way I've gotten any mail in the last 30 years) make things easier, and more secure. There is no good reason not to put them in everywhere they make sense, and make the whole process more efficient.

I loath businesses eliminating full time positions in favor of part time ones (it's done as a way to get out of benefits) - but I full time employee could have five routes, a different one each day. Express deliveries could be daily, but cost a premium.

Canada Post should have a MASSIVE advantage over other carriers, because they're delivering parcels to places that they're delivering other things to anyway. They should stop wasting their time worrying about the contents of a package, and simply focus on size & weight, and method of delivery. Small packages that can be delivered to a Superbox, should cost slightly more than a letter to mail (yes, I'm talking about small bubble mailers, or boxes) - because they could take back that volume from other carriers, because nobody could do it cheaper.

Having said that, I'd cut home delivery to once per week. Let everyone know what their day is, and that's the end of it. If something is critical to get to you sooner, then have it shipped express.

If the union believe changing the fundamental way the business runs is a no-go, this is (once again) going to be a long, drawn out fight.

That's a well thought out post. I love mail delivery to my door, but I think it's time to move on from that as well, unfortunately

[discomike]

What a mess.

I'm still confused why the government won't just force them into arbitration - because I don't believe this is going to be a dispute that's resolved easily.

If it was just a problem of wages / benefits - the strike last time would have paid for a comprise on Canada Post's end (i.e. not paying anyone for weeks, it saves you a bunch of money).

I do not believe that Canada Post (or any crown corporation, for that matter) necessarily needs to operate like a "real" business. There is a great value to the public, being able to send something to any corner of the country for a relatively modest sum. It's okay of Canada Post costs taxpayers money each year, at least IMO.

Having said that, the union really needs to accept that a lot has changed in the last 20 years, and it's not going back. While I believe they are right to be standing up for good paying jobs, and good benefits for the members - they also need to accept that the need for 5 days-a-week home delivery is LONG gone. Things like Super Boxes (which is the only way I've gotten any mail in the last 30 years) make things easier, and more secure. There is no good reason not to put them in everywhere they make sense, and make the whole process more efficient.

I loath businesses eliminating full time positions in favor of part time ones (it's done as a way to get out of benefits) - but I full time employee could have five routes, a different one each day. Express deliveries could be daily, but cost a premium.

Canada Post should have a MASSIVE advantage over other carriers, because they're delivering parcels to places that they're delivering other things to anyway. They should stop wasting their time worrying about the contents of a package, and simply focus on size & weight, and method of delivery. Small packages that can be delivered to a Superbox, should cost slightly more than a letter to mail (yes, I'm talking about small bubble mailers, or boxes) - because they could take back that volume from other carriers, because nobody could do it cheaper.

Having said that, I'd cut home delivery to once per week. Let everyone know what their day is, and that's the end of it. If something is critical to get to you sooner, then have it shipped express.

If the union believe changing the fundamental way the business runs is a no-go, this is (once again) going to be a long, drawn out fight.

I don't think the government will let this strike drag on for too long, I would give it two weeks before they legislate them back.

Mind you, this is the summertime now when the demand for postal services is not as great, so maybe it lasts for a while

[subban7677]

I expect this to go months.