Canadian Postal Strike

[Onyxnox]

If it is going Canada Post, and not a private parcel company like UPS or something, it will likely not be delivered until the workers are no longer locked out - not unless it had made it through processing earlier in the week it sounds like.  So either when a contract is negotiated, or the government steps in and stops the lock out, or legislates workers back to work to stop the strike action.

http://clients.infopost.ca/en/

[Distant_Twilight]

From the looks of things hopefully the strike will be over at the end of the week.
They're debating on the back to work legislation
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/166723/20110621/canada-postal-strike-bill-passed-harper-government.htm
Though opposition parties are against it, so it may run until after parliament goes on summer break 
Though I do respect opposition for not wanting to meddle in the affairs of others, it really is affecting my swaps

[Onyxnox]

Yes, I am conflicted about back to work legislation - it does interfer with worker's right to strike - but then again, my profession is considered an essential service so we don't have the right to strike anyways, which makes me apathetic to those who can.  Also to be truthful and selfish, I want nothing to interfer with my swapping either! 

The Cons stated to the news last week they would extend the session if necessary to get the BTW legislation passed.

[sloth003]

The Cons stated to the news last week they would extend the session if necessary to get the BTW legislation passed.

really!?! seems unlike the cons... who generally prorogue the govt to get want they want  feels a bit undemocratic.

i am of two minds about it as well. the only time i worked for a union i got royally screwed over.  dont have a lot of faith in either system anymore.

but there are a bunch of swaps i wanted to join and i have been stalking all spring waiting for them and they are all open NOW... 

[Onyxnox]

The Cons stated to the news last week they would extend the session if necessary to get the BTW legislation passed.

really!?! seems unlike the cons... who generally prorogue the govt to get want they want  feels a bit undemocratic.

LOL - what can I say - no fear of a non-confidence vote, and no Olympics must be making them giddy and not think straight?  Or there are a bunch of crafty Conservatives out there wanting to swap too - hmmmm, thinking a lot of pro-Harper signs, accompanied by personalized muzzles here....

I am thinking their anti-union stance is driving them and they want to give a little to the public so they can hide a few other things - like  maybe so some people won't continue questioning all the G8 spending in Flaherty's riding.  They put new sidewalks and streetlamps in a town over an hour away from Huntsville, where it is well known NOONE walks, let alone at night -  just a town of 300 people for goodness sakes!!!!

[sweatereyes]

Doesn't FedEx and Purolator still run during the postal strike?  At least that is what I've always been under the impression of, since they run independently of the CUPW?  Shipping rates with FedEx and Purolator are usually about the same (sometimes even cheaper) as Canada Post anyways, especially if you are shipping out of country.  

(but from the sounds of it Harper just pushed the back to work legislation yesterday.. so postal workers may be back to work soon)

[Distant_Twilight]

Doesn't FedEx and Purolator still run during the postal strike?  At least that is what I've always been under the impression of, since they run independently of the CUPW?  Shipping rates with FedEx and Purolator are usually about the same (sometimes even cheaper) as Canada Post anyways, especially if you are shipping out of country.  

(but from the sounds of it Harper just pushed the back to work legislation yesterday.. so postal workers may be back to work soon)

Normally it's more expensive, plus with more Canada post locations, it's less of a hassle to get to. Sure a courier will take it to your door, but if you're not there it can be a chore to get to

[Onyxnox]

Depends on what you are shipping too, and sometimes they charge a brokerage fee or something like that to the receiver as well, depending on what is being shipped.

[sloth003]

i looked into purolater, fedex and canpar to send my last hoopla round.

 all were significantly more. (about 18 bucks to send from on to ab vs canada post's 3.50, more for the one going to georgia)
 i got them in the mail while the rotating strikes were on.  hopefully they will be shipped soon once they are back to work. my solution is to just not sign up for any new swaps til the mail is running again.

[sweatereyes]

The last swap I did, I did use Canada Post only because it was the most convenient for me (I can walk to one instead of busing to one). But I had checked in with Purolator and FedEx (I'm lucky that both of them are in the same building so its easy check both).  It was  a relatively small package, and was going to Michigan (from Ontario).  Canada Post: $22  Purolator: $23.50  FedEx: $25  (these are somewhat estimates, but they are off only by cents here and there).  I've sent with FedEx before, and it has never seemed really outrageous.