Posted on 11/27/2004 8:28:24 AM PST by M. Espinola
TORONTO Three groups of Canada Post employees have threatened to strike during next month's annual Christmas rush.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada said in a statement that 2,600 administrative, clerical and technical workers voted 73 per cent in favour of a strike that could come as early as Dec. 8.
Union president Luc Guevremont said the Canada Post workers could begin with strategic strikes one region at a time. But he wouldn't rule out a general strike.
"Services would obviously be most likely delayed in locations we would choose if it's strategic," said Guevremont. The workers are based in Canada Post centres across the country, including about 1,000 in Ottawa, 300 in Montreal and 80 in Quebec City.
Negotiations are scheduled to resume on Monday.
The Crown agency reports to Revenue Minister John McCallum. His spokesman said the government hopes the dispute will be resolved. David Hurl added that in eight previous conflicts, a solution was found to avoid work stoppages.
Wages, benefits and working conditions are at issue in the latest dispute. Canada Post is seeking concessions on health and dental benefits, along with vacations.
The union said the concessions aren't necessary because the agency has made profits in each of the last nine years.
This may be WHY they're striking a ninth time.
Hello UPS? What can brown do for me today?
Not that the Canadian government would ever have the balls to do this, but I've got one word for them: PATCO.
UPS drivers were on strike Monday and Tuesday of this past week. A tentative agreement has been reached, but if this one is rejected, these guys could be back out on strike in January. Don't know how true these rumors are, but if the drivers strike again, the company plans to shut down the Canadian operation. These Canadian postal workers must have been inspired by their UPS brethren.
All they need is a national health care program. That will surely meet all of the workers' needs. >sarcasm>
I wonder how many people will even notice if Canada Post puts its delivery snail back in its terrarium.
Christmas cards are overrated. For everything else there's FedEx...
How is anybody going to know?
Last year while I was temporarily in Manitoba, my wife mailed me a birthday card via Postes Canada Express mail. It arrived a month later . . .
Postes Canada makes the USPS look like a model of efficiency.
Dialing Fedex....Purolator....DHL....
There is no more venerable Canadian Christmas tradition than the Canada Post wildcat strike, not even the Queen's Christmas Message or the Toronto Santa Claus Parade.
It just wouldn't be Christmas in this once-great Dominion without the CUPW goons wreaking havoc with the mails.
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