postal workers strike -- crown corp. eh

SO... there's a postal strike on and the lack of recyclable junk-mail aka flyers has been nice, but realize this is costing millions in lost revenue and reputation. The courier services aren't complaining as business has been brisk for them. On the other-hand, the postal workers aren't allowed to say much either.


While 'negotiations' are going Deerfoot log-jam un-rush hour traffic slow for almost six months now without a contract agreement, postal workers are wondering what will happen next.


While the government hesitates to jump in and order them back to work even before they go on a full-out strike, I stand confused. A rotating strike is rather decent of workers on a national level to throw a wrench in usually well oiled machinery.


One could argue that they are doing it to avoid bad publicity and angry citizens who pay their salaries at the end of the day. Not understanding real deal-breaker/makers, better benefits and whether employees start at $19/hr or $23/hr. $23 is presently what workers make after a year in service. They probably are wondering if they'll get a raise too accounting for inflation.


Getting a package in the mail a few days ago, the postal worker apologizing for it being a bit late. Told him I totally support striking because someone has to put a foot down.


He shrugged and I understood he couldn't say much. Without naming or saying his opinion is that of everyone at Canada Post, he just wants them to agree on something so he can keep working. Strike pay isn't so great and letters aren't getting delivered so he was so back-logged that his truck was fully loaded.


Go figure when there's talk of strikes, clients losing business, and other dire things happening, there's always the little guy who just clocks in and serves his community. Cutting his pension, co-workers and buying more machinery to run him off his feet would make anyone disgruntled.


Crown Corporations, which have indirectly government funding, are become controversial every time there's a strike. Like a private company runs it any better? This reporter isn't a political 'scientist' or business expert, but if it ain't completely broke, find some ductape and patch it up.


Even though it's a full out strike now, workers are like the pony express, the mail must get through. They are still working three days a week and not affecting rural areas.


If they can deliver 45M letters per year to 14M addresses, about 355 letters to each house-hold. That and they are not running a deficit according to a company history and report a few years old, that's pretty darn decent for buying out Puralator and cutting management back 5 per cent.


The postal report is worth a read if interested in business. Quick facts that the company has been run better since it took a drastic change 30 years ago. There's some sticky monopoly on delivering letters and officially the postal service is overseen by the minister of transportation, but run by a board of directors.


When health-care debates rage about two-tier systems, having private/public competition on delivering stuff to door-steps has been good for the customer. Apples and oranges between health and mail, but sometimes both are in the balance, especially in northern communities.


Love letters, products from online -- which Canada Post has gotten into that business, very forward thinking -- and everything from medical supplies to confidential documents are all varying importance.


In act of good faith, postal workers realized that they also deliver elections documents and pamphlets, all kinds of official mail and pension cheques etc. So maybe the politicians should stop thinking about forcing them back to work and think about helping them out as postal workers help out other Canadians. They get rather well paid for it so maybe the unions should think about how they go about this as well. Glad it's not up this reporter to figure out.


So then... hope this works out quickly. There's still another mess with Air Canada strike but that's a whole other story of a public bail-out which is still limping, but that's for another day. Just make sure the little guy is looked after.


-- PLR --


p.s. cute photo graphic came from here

Please proceed to your polling station

Having worked long 13 hour days for Elections Canada at polling stations, I've had a front row seat to democracy for the past few elections.

Canadian citizen? 18 years of age or older? Driver's license, photo ID or government issued ID and official document or utility bill or even your renter's lease with current address?  That's all you need to vote.

You can proceed to the polling station and cast your ballot. It's that simple, yet a near-myth in many countries around the world where threats of who to vote for are issued and democracy slowly spreads.

While I'm legally sworn to to not share any details that would disclose anyone's privacy, I had lots of time to observe. Makes you feel all patriotic seeing a vote in action.

From trades-workers to moms with little'uns in tow. Punks with mo-hawks and chain wallets to business-people in suits and blue-tooth head-sets. Cyclists in spandex and helmets, eccentrically dressed hippies, old couples in matching jackets or hats. First timers to proudly voting at elections for decades. Reluctant, rushed, excited, bitter, optimistic, confused. It was quite the wide spectrum of who is interested in voting.

From people's comments, there seemed to be different types of voters -- ranging from first timers to newly sworn in immigrants to cynical older experiences.

From questions about voting from those who recently turned 18, it was neat to be able to explain it to them. Although some weren't sure what was the point of even voting, some of them were actually pretty excited to excise their right to vote. Their parents were trying to be good examples and proud their children being  responsible.

Others had become citizens recently were much more quiet but just as excited and appreciative from the shy grins on their faces. At first they still asked hesitantly if they were allowed to vote. Their eyes seemed to give it away of how appreciative they with becoming a Canadian citizen and registering to be on the national elector's list.

The older voters who either see it as a faint hope that their vote will impact anything; or who have seen many other leaders and competitions amount to corrupt scandal or great progressive results. Those citizens come with mixed hope and sense of duty, no matter how few politicians are worth voting for in their opinion.

Yet there was over 60% voter turn-out opposed to down to 40-50% in the past few elections. As was said by all leaders, both elected and un-seated, the people had spoken. Citizens want stability and a majority government will help with that over the next few years.

As an exercise of democracy, Canadians still showing examples of peace and order where elsewhere in the world, rebels must fight to change government. Hopefully they can win the day and install a better way of governing.

--PLR--

coalition? don't matter, get'ter done

Half-way into the election campaign, politically correct, petty political shots and perfect promises, party platforms all compete for our votes. All boast of what to do after they get elected to help communities which elected them. How quaint, however, it's getting tiresome after many elections. Because it seems like we've done this every other year for nearly a decade, it's time for a change. Just like last time.

The simple saying 'get'ter done' is said for a reason. It's a great concept yet we all struggle at times and need a helping hand.

Despite who gets elected, do us a favour and act for the greater good. Not for the party's greater good. Not for a sweet job. I hope they get more done than just sit around in sub-committees planning. I'm impatient so I would love a short and sweet plan to set succeed, so shock me and get'ter done.

Isn't that what they do before elections? Make up convincing platforms for change. Not many campaign promises with solid 12 steps plans to actually happen without a three year projection. Odds of that half-baked plan working challenge even R2-D2's ability to calculate success probability, especially when there's an election every two years... okay maybe the cycle will be broken. Yet it's still a major downer for me if they start with great intentions, only to be blown away before full completion.

For a listing of the political promises to see for yourself, check out the Canadian Press summary which comes out every few days through google news. Some of the promises are so practical it hurts. Note the ratios of new promises per party. Their platforms seem real optimistic with studies and surveys and ideas. When you look at how much money they want to spend without saying how to raise it, who foots the bill other than taxes and jobs created? It's easy to be socialist without saying how to pay for it all.

Some of the political ideas are great, but last only as long as the campaign competition. So do promises and plans just get put into storage like shiny Christmas decorations and recipes for next election?

Not being in their shoes, I try not to judge politicians too harshly. I've failed at times to explain their lack of logic. They don't seem to consider wearing my shoes when huge changes impact my life and everyone around me. They should try well-worn sneakers and work boots once in a while. Not trendy but serviceable for the common folk.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to be working with the opposition and common folk who elected them? There are some wonderful ideas which fade after the election is over like supporter signs on the lawn. Why can't politicians just.... all get along? Left or right of center, who knows, they might be able to pull off some major reform or simply be civil and not block bills that might cause an election to swing in their favour to win control.

If they want to control the country, spiffy. If there's some joint coalition, whatever that political jargon means, just do something already. Maybe there's some solid reasons to not have too many chief bakers in the kitchen. Maybe I'm simplifying the whole concept but I thought it was how a minority government gets anything done - by co-operating and making compromises with the evil enemy, the ominous opposition leaders. Aren't they elected people who also want to do great things for the country and its citizens.

Peace, order and good government is what Canada was built on, not half-baked cookie dough. They built Rideau Canal almost 200 years ago and despite set-backs, it was engineered so simply and solidly that it still works. So keep rising to the occasion and orderly build upon good governing - which I hope includes being fiscally responsible and spending within reason.

Whoever is in power after this election stands could do great things, or end up with half-baked cookies and budget plans. If standing by their promises to get plans into action, against the huge odds, do it anyways. Even R2-D2 has been known to be wrong.

Pro-action sounds nice but difficult to under-take. Sweat equity is painful and muscles which haven't been used in a while get sore easily before endurance builds up. Just as work-outs at the gym start to show satisfying results, so do plans turning into results. So politicians, please, shock me, I know you got it in you to get'ter done.

-- PLR --

p.s. check out the Voter Compass at CBC's website because it surprised me on the results for myself. I'm obviously going to need to do some more reading on political stuff...