11 hours Ago
Nov. 18 While I certainly respect the right to strike, and am glad to hear that our postal workers have agreed to continue to deliver Canadian pension payments, there are many seniors, myself included, who rely on Canada Post to deliver pension cheques from countries abroad that do not offer the option of direct bank deposit. The fear of not receiving the pension payments on which we rely for our subsistence is very real indeed.
I sincerely hope all interested parties in the resolution of the postal strike will consider the plight of seniors, who are among the most vulnerable citizens, and broker an agreement as soon as possible. Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon’s position on the current Canada Post strike suggests that the government can play an independent role in assisting with the mediation of the dispute. He talks as though the government is dealing with two independent parties engaged in bargaining.
Since 1985 Canada Post has been a Crown Corporation, responsible to the federal government, its only shareholder. Canada Post is responsible to the federal Minister of Public Service and Procurement. The Canada Post statute provides as well that the Governor in Council approves the appointments of the President and CEO as well as the members of the corporate board.
The government in turn provides oversight and guidance to the corporation on its strategies, business plans and related matters. The leading mediator appointed by the minister is a senior member of the federal labour department. In this situation, can the federal government, as MacKinnon suggests, play an independent role in achieving settlement of a deeply divided, yearlong dispute affecting all of Canada? Let’s hope so.
Nov. 18 The Canada Post strike is ridiculous. The workers should appreciate that they have good jobs with benefits.
People like me, who can’t even find work, would trade places with them in a heartbeat. They complain that they can’t survive on their wages. Really? Try living in government assistance and desperately trying to find work.
If they want to strike, fire them and hire those of us who would happily work for minimum wage and do their job. Some of us have put out thousands of resumes and can’t even get a job..
