Canadian postal union decries ‘vultures’

Leaders at the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are rallying against what they see as an attempt to exploit Canada Post’s recent choice to end door-to-door delivery for more than five million Canadian households. That will take force later this month, and in the meantime, a new private company known as You Have Mail is trying to squeeze into that niche by offering a fee-based service to pick up mail and deliver it to the door.

Leaders at the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are rallying against what they see as an attempt to exploit Canada Post’s recent choice to end door-to-door delivery for more than five million Canadian households. That will take force later this month, and in the meantime, a new private company known as You Have Mail is trying to squeeze into that niche by offering a fee-based service to pick up mail and deliver it to the door.
 
“The Harper government is trying to kill Canada’s postal service and the vultures are circling,” National President of the CUPW Denis Lemelin said in a statement. “Canada Post is mandated to be financially self-sufficient and has been so for most of the past two decades. In fact, last quarter, it reported a profit. So why should Canadians have to pay $20 or $30 or $60 to have their mail delivered to the door?”
 
You Have Mail’s website promises “affordable” plans for residential and business customers alike. “We know that with busy schedules, retrieving mail is the last thing you want to worry about,” it reads, “and we can help!”
 
In the meantime, the union is pressing to address the decline in traditional mail through expanded services such as postal banking.
 
“Privatization is not the solution,” Lemelin said. “Mail delivery must remain a public service, not a for-profit business.”
 
You Might Also Like…
 
Restructuring rise and layoffs loom? What can you expect in 2014?
Restructuring on the increase: Canada Post to cut 8000 jobs
Real value: the engagement power of group discounts

Recent articles & video

Canada Post won’t have workers collecting firearms under Ottawa’s buyback program

LCBO tells customers not to ‘physically confront’ shoplifters after video shows alleged theft

P.E.I.’s reduced immigration targets hurting business, say experts

How to optimize business travel in 2024

Most Read Articles

Province confirms minimum wage increases for 2024

Nearly three-quarters of middle managers in Canada experiencing burnout: survey

Budget 2024: Public service to lose 5,000 workers