labour

Friday December 13, 2024

Canada Post’s holiday strike highlights the absurdity of outdated labor tactics in a world where private alternatives thrive, pushing Canadians to move on permanently from a once-vital service.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday December 13, 2024

A Postal Strike Christmas Carol: How Canada Post Might Haunt Its Own Future

November 21, 2018

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – unless you’re waiting for Canada Post to deliver that holiday card or package. Yes, dear reader, the postal workers’ strike has landed like a lump of coal in the stockings of Canadians coast to coast. In an ironic twist, the very season when the Crown corporation traditionally pulls out of its year-long funk to play Santa is now a glaring reminder of its dwindling relevance in a world dominated by private couriers and digital messages.

Canada Post, the once-mighty reindeer of holiday delivery, is facing an existential crisis. In the past, when postal workers struck, the whole country felt the pinch. The 1981 strike? National chaos. The 1997 lockout? A crisis requiring swift political intervention. Today? It seems the Christmas spirit isn’t the only thing that’s gone digital—so has the way Canadians send and receive love, greetings, and gifts.

News: No hope for the holidays: Zero chance Canada Post can deliver cards and packages before Christmas, experts say

December 12, 2013

Let’s take a sleigh ride down memory lane. In 2006, Canada Post delivered 5.5 billion letters annually. Today, it’s barely scraping by at 2.2 billion. For decades, the sound of a letter hitting the floor was a daily joy; now, it’s a relic of simpler times, replaced by the ping of an email notification or the cheerful buzz of a courier app.

Parcel delivery was supposed to save the sleigh. And for a while, it did. But then came Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and a thousand gig workers in unmarked vans delivering packages at all hours. Even Canada Post’s jump to weekend delivery couldn’t keep up. Now, it has a mere 30% slice of the parcel pie, down from two-thirds before the pandemic. As Andrew Coyne aptly pointed out, the strike only hastens the exodus: once customers discover that private couriers work faster and more efficiently, why would they ever come back?

Opinion: Suppose they gave a postal strike and nobody noticed

April 25, 2015

Today, Canadians are managing the strike with a shrug and a Plan B. The outcry isn’t about losing the mail—it’s about the inconvenience of finding alternatives. It’s hard to summon sympathy for postal workers striking at Christmas, a time of goodwill and frantic shipping. Their demands for higher wages and benefits feel like asking Santa for a new sleigh in a world where everyone else has upgraded to drones.

Reader feedback to Coyne’s piece reflects this shift in sentiment. “They’re striking themselves out of a job,” one person quipped. Another commented, “If this goes on, maybe we’ll finally privatize the thing.” Harsh words, but reflective of a growing reality: Canada Post has become more a seasonal tradition than a year-round necessity, like eggnog or fruitcake.

If the strike proves anything, it’s that Canadians have moved on. Small businesses, once reliant on postal service, are now cozying up to private couriers. Families, once reliant on snail mail, have gone digital. Even junk mail enthusiasts—yes, they exist—are adjusting. And as for holiday cards? Who needs stamps when you’ve got e-cards and emojis?

Perhaps Canada Post’s strike is its last hurrah. If customers don’t come back, and deficits continue to balloon (a $748-million loss last year, remember?), even the statutory monopoly on first-class mail won’t save it. The future might just be a Canada Post museum exhibit: “Here lies the Crown corporation that once delivered Christmas.”

Canada Post’s labor tactics feel like Ebenezer Scrooge’s attempts to save a dying business by turning up the heat on Bob Cratchit. But just as Scrooge learned, holding onto old ways in a changing world is a recipe for obsolescence. Canadians want their deliveries fast, reliable, and reasonably priced. And if Canada Post can’t deliver, someone else will.

This Christmas, as we sip our cocoa and track packages online, let’s remember the lessons of the season. Adaptation, goodwill, and maybe, just maybe, learning to let go of the past. Canada Post, we wish you a Merry Christmas—but it might be time to pack up the sleigh. After all, the world is moving on, with or without you.

There’s a kind of unwritten rule in Canada: if you land a public sector job, you’ve scored yourself a lifeboat in a sea of private-sector uncertainty. Governments, after all, are the safety net, and the political stakes in labour disputes mean they’ll often bend over backwards to keep things smooth. Usually, when strikes heat up, a neat little trick called arbitration gets wheeled out to settle the squabble. But when it comes to Canada Post, that formula falls apart.

Why? Because it’s not just about labour versus management—it’s about an entire business model that feels like a relic of the rotary phone era. The union and Canada Post are locked in a 1970s-style labour standoff, oblivious to the fact that the world has zipped ahead. This isn’t the age when a postal strike meant a national crisis. It’s 2024, and most Canadians have a better relationship with their email inbox than with their mailbox.

Here’s the stark reality: while postal workers strike, the private sector fills the void. Couriers like UPS, FedEx, and Amazon don’t just wait in the wings—they swoop in and scoop up business. Customers, once diverted, rarely return. It’s a lot like the newspaper industry of yesteryear. Remember when the morning paper was an irreplaceable ritual? Now, if newsrooms don’t adapt, readers simply scroll elsewhere. Canada Post faces a similar choice: innovate and evolve, or become the next “Remember when?” story.

The irony is rich: a left-leaning government in power can’t even be accused of union bashing, yet the Crown corporation is still fumbling. Political leaders can’t keep using duct tape solutions like arbitration if the core business model is on life support. Canada Post is hemorrhaging money, running six consecutive years of losses, while clinging to the outdated assumption that it’s an essential service.

The hard truth is, Canadians are voting with their feet—and their wallets. And this holiday season, as cards and packages sit undelivered, many are learning they can live without Canada Post. As the saying goes: adapt, or perish. The postal workers striking now might be remembered as the ones who stamped the final nail into their own mailbox.

As Canada Post workers strike during the holiday season, Canadians are reminded of the irrelevance of the Crown corporation in an age dominated by digital communication and private couriers. Once the backbone of Canada’s economy during peak seasons like Christmas, Canada Post’s monopoly on letter mail and declining market share in parcel delivery have turned it into a costly relic. The strike, meant to push for better worker conditions, is ironically accelerating customer migration to nimbler competitors. By choosing the worst possible time to disrupt service, postal workers may have unwittingly hastened the demise of their own industry, leaving Canada Post a ghost of Christmas past.

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Saturday April 22, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday April 22, 2023

Like it or not, Work is Work, Wherever the Worker is

April 21, 2020

As the labour dispute between federal government employees and their employer, the Canadian government, continues, one contentious issue that has come to the forefront is the demand for the right to work from home. While some argue in favor of remote work, citing its productivity and convenience, it’s important to acknowledge that both working in the office and working from home have their downsides.

Working in the office has its negatives. The daily commute to the office can be time-consuming, stressful, and costly, particularly for those who live far from their workplace. It can also contribute to environmental impacts due to transportation emissions, adding to concerns about sustainability. Office environments can be noisy and distracting, making it challenging for some employees to concentrate and be productive. Additionally, adhering to a fixed schedule may limit flexibility for employees who prefer a more flexible work arrangement. Working in the office may also incur additional expenses, such as commuting costs, work attire, and meals, which can impact an employee’s budget. Moreover, health and safety concerns, such as exposure to illnesses from colleagues or ergonomic issues, may arise in the office setting.

News: More than half of Canadians support federal employees’ right to work from home: survey  

March 28, 2020

On the other hand, working from home also has its drawbacks. Social isolation can be a real concern for remote workers, as they may miss out on social interactions and opportunities for collaboration with colleagues, which can impact morale and well-being. Blurred work-life boundaries can also be a challenge, as remote work can make it difficult to disconnect from work and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Dependence on technology can pose challenges such as technical issues, connectivity problems, and reliance on digital communication tools, which may impact productivity. Distractions at home, such as household chores, family responsibilities, or noise from family members or neighbors, can also hinder productivity. Furthermore, reduced visibility with managers and colleagues may limit career growth opportunities, promotions, and professional relationships for remote workers.

Opinion: How working from home gave Canadians a big pay raise – and why nobody wants to give it up  

February 8, 2001

In the midst of the labour dispute, it’s important to recognize that there is no perfect solution. Work is work, whether it’s done in the office or from home. Both options have their pros and cons, and it’s crucial to find a balance that works for both employers and employees. It’s clear that the demand for the right to work from home is driven by a desire for flexibility and modern work arrangements. However, it’s also important to acknowledge that working in the office has its merits, including opportunities for social interactions, visibility, and collaboration with colleagues.

As we navigate the changing landscape of work, it’s crucial for employers and employees to have open and constructive dialogues to find mutually beneficial solutions. This may involve exploring hybrid work models that allow for a mix of office and remote work, taking into consideration the nature of the job, the needs of the employees, and the goals of the organization. Ultimately, the key is to prioritize effective communication, flexibility, and mutual respect in order to create a work environment that is productive, inclusive, and supportive for all parties involved. (AI)

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro. If you’re creative, give editorial cartooning a try.

 

Friday November 4, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday November 4, 2022

Virus’, a summons, strike, and notwithstanding: A bad week for Doug Ford

August 3, 2022

Some of the largest pediatric hospitals across the country are being overwhelmed by an unprecedented surge in sick children, forcing them to keep families waiting for hours in emergency departments, cancel surgeries and transfer some teens to adult facilities.

An unusually early upswing in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections is partly to blame. But other problems – including the inability of many families to find primary care providers and a shortage of over-the-counter fever and pain medication for infants and children – are adding to the crisis.

With emergency rooms seeing far more seriously ill children than normal and pediatric in-patient and intensive-care units at or near capacity, doctors say they are unsure how the health care system will cope when cold and flu season hits its peak in the next few months. (The Globe & Mail) 

June 16, 2021

Meanwhile, Ontario has now passed legislation making it illegal for 55,000 education workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees to strike and imposing a contract on them.

The workers are expected to walk off the job Friday after mediation between the Ontario government and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) failed to reach a deal. There’s no word on when the job action will end. School boards are advising parents to make alternative child-care plans into next week.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the government had no choice but to proceed with its legislation, which includes the notwithstanding clause that allows the legislature to override parts of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for a five-year term.

November 2, 2022

“For the sake of Ontario’s two million students, to keep classrooms open, CUPE has left us with no choice but to pass the Keeping Kids in Class Act,” he said.

“It is my hope and expectation that they will show up tomorrow for our kids,” said Lecce, saying the union would not rescind its intent to strike when the two parties went back to the bargaining table. 

Bill 28 will make strike action illegal, though the CUPE has said workers will walk off the job Friday regardless. Early childhood educators, educational assistants and custodians are among those taking part in the strike.

Premier Doug Ford, who was not present during the final vote on Bill 28, said Thursday that the union left him with “no choice” but to introduce Bill 28. He said students have already suffered through two years of pandemic disruptions, and the government will use every tool at its disposal to ensure kids stay in class full-time. (CBC News) 

October 27, 2022

Ontario government lawyers argued Tuesday there would be “irreparable harm” to the rule of law if Premier Doug Ford and a top minister were compelled to testify at a federal inquiry after citing parliamentary privilege in trying to avoid doing so.

But lawyers for the Public Order Emergency Commissioner, which is overseeing the inquiry, argued evidence of that harm was “speculative” at best.

The arguments were made in Federal Court as Ford and then-solicitor general Sylvia Jones look to quash a summons for them to appear at the inquiry examining the the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act to end the so-called Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa and Windsor, Ont., last winter.

February 16, 2022

Both Ford and Jones have argued through their lawyers that they’re immune to testifying after invoking parliamentary privilege, a centuries-old privilege enshrined in the constitution that is granted to sitting politicians.

Parliamentary privilege is what protects the separation of court, the Crown and the legislature in the proper functioning of a constitutional system, said Susan Keenan, a lawyer for the province.

Justice Simon Fothergill said both Ford and Jones have “relevant” testimony to give and that the harm to them, practically speaking, is “not all that serious, just two people testifying.”

He noted that parliamentary privilege resulting in immunity to being summoned to a criminal or civil court is a long-standing privilege. But Fothergill said this case will turn on whether he finds that privilege applies to public inquiries.

The judge said he’ll have a decision by Nov. 8, two days before Ford and Jones are schedule to testify at the inquiry. (Global News) 

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro … These sped up clips are posted to encourage others to be creative, to take advantage of the technology many of us already have and to use it to produce satire. Comfort the afflicted. Afflict the comforted.

 

 

Wednesday November 2, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday November 2, 2022

Ontario government’s wrecking ball negotiating tactic not an answer

Prior to the last province-wide crisis in education, Mike Harris government education minister John Snobelen promised to make changes in Ontario’s education policy by “creating a crisis.”

July 29, 2022

Sadly, it looks like Doug Ford and his education minister, Stephen Lecce, are planning to do the same thing. This week, rather than continuing bargaining with Canadian Union of Public Employees education workers, the province passed a back-to-work law before a job action could begin, imposed an non-negotiated contract arbitrarily, and promised to use the notwithstanding clause of Canada’s constitution to fend off any legal challenges.

Why? Lecce says it is in response to CUPE’s having given strike notice that job action could — not would — start as early as this Friday. The sledgehammer approach is needed to guarantee “stability” in education, says Lecce.

That’s a red herring. In the event of job action, Hamilton public schools will remain open. In Halton, schools will move to alternative scheduling to allow for adequate cleaning. And the Hamilton Catholic board has said it would close schools.

October 20, 2021

Clearly, denying collective bargaining to education assistants, custodians, early childhood educators and office staff wasn’t destined to close all schools as Lecce claims. So just what is the government’s agenda? Will it do the same when crunch-time comes while bargaining with teachers? Does the government intend to take away bargaining rights from all education workers?

CUPE education workers, 70 per cent of whom are women, are the lowest paid in the school system. On average, they earn $39,000 a year. With inflation, they have seen real wage reduction of more than 10 per cent. CUPE is seeking 11.7 per cent increases.

We’re not judging whether that increase is justified or not, or whether the province’s offer, closer to 1 per cent, is remotely fair. That’s what negotiations are for, including mediation and ultimately arbitration.

But prematurely neutering the bargaining process by declaring any job action illegal is not fair, ethical or wise.

August 20, 2012

The last government that tried imposing a contract on education workers was the McGuinty Liberal government. In 2016, Justice Thomas Lederer of the Ontario Superior Court said of that imposition: “When reviewed in the context of the Charter and the rights it provides, it becomes apparent that the process engaged in was fundamentally flawed. It could not, by its design, provide meaningful collective bargaining.”

The Ford government clearly anticipated a similar finding, and is already prepared to use the notwithstanding clause — the constitution’s nuclear option — to ignore any legal ruling. That is an abuse of the intention of the clause.

Consider the words of federal Justice Minister David Lametti, who is looking at how Ottawa could challenge the province’s use of the notwithstanding clause.

June 11, 2021

“It de facto means that people’s rights are being infringed and it’s being justified using the notwithstanding clause,” he said. “Using it pre-emptively is exceedingly problematic. It cuts off both political debate and judicial scrutiny.”

The fact that the province has already decided to use the nuclear option also suggests it knows full well it is violating the constitutional rights of education workers. Otherwise it wouldn’t need to rely on the notwithstanding clause prior to any adjudication. We should be concerned that our government is knowingly violating the rights of 55,000 Ontarians, including thousands in Hamilton and Halton.

No one wants schools closed. No one wants an education strike. But are we willing to accept accomplishing those objectives by force, taking a wrecking ball to the collective bargaining process?

If we are, we would be wise to ask ourselves: Who, and what, is next? (Hamilton Spectator Editorial) 

 

Saturday May 21, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 21, 2022

Doug Ford nets another union endorsement, positions Ontario PCs as labour friendly

October 20, 2021

Doug Ford touted his union ties and tried to position his Progressive Conservatives as the labour-friendly option for voters on Tuesday, as his political rivals accused him of simply paying lip service to workers.

The Tories gained the endorsement of another construction workers’ union on the campaign trail, while the more traditionally union-friendly NDP secured the backing of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents 180,000 workers.

But Mr. Ford downplayed his tiffs with public sector workers, whose ire he’s drawn over a bill that capped wage increases at 1 per cent for three years, as he highlighted the endorsement from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT).

“These are the people that are going to build Ontario, build Toronto, build the whole province. They’re out there slugging it out, day in and day out, no matter what type of weather it is. And we couldn’t run the province without ‘em,” Mr. Ford said at a morning press conference. “… I’ll always have their backs, always.”

February 28, 1996

He was speaking at IUPAT’s headquarters in Toronto’s north end, where he used a stencil and sprayer to paint his campaign slogan, “Get It Done” on a Progressive Conservative blue wall.

Mr. Ford, who’s seeking re-election in next month’s vote, kyboshed attempts to compare his Tories to a previous PC government in Ontario.

In the seven years Mike Harris led the province, he earned a reputation for being anti-union.

Mr. Ford said that’s not his position, nor was it the position of his late father, who served as a Progressive Conservative MPP under Mr. Harris for several years.

“I’m not gonna judge any other any other party. I’ll tell you, our families, be it my dad or my brother Rob or [nephew] Michael, we’ve supported the hard working women and men in this province, the union members,” Mr. Ford said. “We always have. I love ‘em.”

But Mr. Ford hasn’t always had a friendly relationship with unions.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath noted Mr. Ford has been at loggerheads with unions representing public employees over legislation passed in 2019 that caps pay raises in the public sector at 1 per cent or less.

August 29, 2019

He declined Tuesday to commit to repealing the bill – something several unions have been requesting since the legislation passed – saying instead that he’d “treat them fairly” when the three-year raise freeze is over.

Mr. Ford has also feuded with teachers’ unions, first during lengthy contract negotiations and later over his policies for reopening schools during the pandemic.

Ms. Horwath, whose New Democrats have historically been the party most closely aligned with unions, said workers should pay attention to the changes in Mr. Ford’s tune.

“I don’t change my mind about my support for unions and working people,” Ms. Horwath said at a campaign stop on Tuesday. “We’ve seen Mr. Ford attack unions, we’ve seen him attack working people, many, many times. The Conservatives always do that. (The Globe & Mail)