Canada Post lockout
Mail delivery across the country has stopped after Canada Post locked out workers at midnight, Wednesday, June 15.
According to a statement, Canada Post suspended operations due to 12 days of rotating strikes by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). “The accelerating decline in volumes and revenue, combined with the inability to deliver mail on a timely and safe basis, has left the company with no choice but to make this decision,” the release stated.
All mail processing plants and letter carrier depots are closed and all facilities have been secured. No new mail will be accepted. Large volume mailers cannot deposit or receive mail.
Mail delivery is suspended to all addresses served by letter carriers represented by CUPW. Some mail delivery will continue over the first few days of the lockout to clear mail remaining in the system in suburban and rural areas where delivery employees are represented by a different bargaining unit.
Street letter boxes, mail slots on community mail boxes and other Canada Post mail-receiving equipment have been cleared and sealed to prevent mail from being deposited.
The lockout came just two days after Canada Post implemented a new schedule that decreased mail delivery in cities from five days a week to Monday, Wednesday and Friday only. That schedule was put in place in the wake of rotating strikes as the company observed a decline in letters and admail.
Information picketing began on Tuesday, June 14 across the country and with Wednesday’s announcement of a nationwide lockout, letter carriers remain on the picket lines. A crowd of workers gathered at Powell River’s main post office on Joyce Avenue to express their disappointment with the current situation.
“We’re all willing to work, we want to do our job. We just want a fair contract,” said Roy Mabbett, CUPW Local 808 shop steward.
A statement issued by CUPW on June 13 outlined several of the postal workers’ major concerns. “Canada Post is demanding major concessions from postal workers,” it read. “It wants to impose unsafe work methods, an 18 per cent wage reduction for new hires and take away a sick leave plan that members have had for over 40 years.”
The Crown corporation noted that measured on a per-address basis, mail volumes are down 17 per cent since 2006 and called the union “out of touch” with the challenges facing the mail service.
While both CUPW and Canada Post retained hope for a negotiated settlement, the federal government announced Wednesday that it would move forward with a bill that would legislate postal workers back to work. The bill is expected to reach the House of Commons on Monday, June 20 for debate and it could be later that week before legislation is passed.
Through a previous agreement, Canada Post and CUPW will ensure that a number of socio-economic cheques will be delivered on June 20, regardless of whether or not back-to-work legislation has been passed. Readers can obtain more information at www.canadapost.ca/cheques.
All post offices staffed by CUPW members currently remain closed. Alternate methods of delivery have been arranged for subscribers who receive the Powell River Peak through the mail. Subscribers will be able to pick up copies at outlets in the areas where they live, as well as at the Peak’s office, 4400 Marine Avenue.
North harbour opens
Powell River’s north harbour is now open for vessel moorage for contract holders, City of Powell River officials have announced. As well, the north harbour boat ramp will open on Saturday, June 18.
Boat owners who are contract holders are advised to pick up their new moorage contracts and make their moorage payment at city hall. North harbour invoices have been sent out and the due date for payment is June 30, 2011.
All contract holders are requested to contact Jim Parsons, Wharfinger, at 604.485.5244 prior to moving vessels into their berths.
City officials had expected the $7.5-million expansion project to be completed this month. The project involved dredging the basin and removing the existing rip-rap from the side slopes, recontouring the bank, putting new rip-rap on the redefined slope and reconfiguring new floats. The city’s contractor will be remaining on site until the end of the month, completing minor work to the electrical and water systems.
Boat owners who moor their vessels in the north harbour will be paying 15 to 42 per cent more, depending on the size of their craft. City council has adopted an amendment to the municipal marina rates and regulations bylaw, which increases fees to cover capital and maintenance costs as well as establish a reserve fund. The new fee structure also reduces the senior discount rate for owners over 65 years from 20 per cent to 10 per cent and adds a 10 per cent administration fee for owners who pay for moorage twice a year.
Staff has advised council that there is a commitment from boat owners either by deposit or verbally for over 80 per cent of available berths and an occupancy rate of over 90 per cent is achievable.
