Air Canada on Strike and Canada Post

It seems that Canada gone mad. Two major Canadian corporations - Canada Post and Air Canada are on strike.

Canada Post has been changing guards last week and striking one city at a time. There was London, Winnipeg, Owen Sound and others. Small and large - interchangeably. Yesterday Toronto Star reported that some of branches that were on strike simply locked the workers out and din't let them in. It is not clear if it is any different from firing. In a way, corporation may treat these people as if they quit or walked out of the job.

Air Canada is a similar story. Yesterday strike went official and several thousands of customer service workers walked out of the job. Flights were still conducted and today the corporation announced that temp workers were put to fill in "openings" instead.

We don't necessarily disagree with the reasons for strike. In fact, Air Canada CEO is making $85 million a year when company is on the verge of bankruptcy posting on average $100 million loss over the last 5 years. When pensions, benefits and jobs are cut it is not ethical for the management to profit on shareholders expectations that they can turn company around. Corporate culture is clearly fragmented and this strike hopefully will have a good outcome for the workers and shareholders. CEO has to resign along with other officers.

Canada Post management is citing on declining mail trend and that jobs/benefits/pensions are to be cut. We, at Eyeinform only see an increase over the last 5 years in mail due to drastic shift of Internet retail. If company has survived invention of e-mail several decades ago, now with the Internet shopping trend Canada Post future should look nothing but bright.

I must admit, press and media including bloggers are going ballistic over these strikes. Given that both corporations are connected in nature of business - service there are major concerns on mail delivery.

We, at EyeInform do use Canada Post as major shipper, however now in the verge of these news will be shipping via Fedex, UPS and alternative couriers while charging customers Canada Post prices for shipping - still lowest in the industry. So, no worries, your glasses will be delivered as promised. Usually 2-3 business days across North America and 1-2 weeks to Europe.