Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 20h

But look, this has been fascinating and I really need to get on with weekend activities. Appreciate the exchange—have a great weekend.

1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 20h

Because CPC management is not synonymous with the public postal service. And collective bargaining is not the same as a public mandate or a mandate review.

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 20h

You refer to letter mail as ‘a farce’ and have been dismissive about efforts to expand beyond it — as Canadians (not just CUPW) support. But the thing about Canada Post is that it’s not about people who don’t use it—it’s about the people who do, and they’re the ones who pay for it.

1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 20h

I think you’re conflating 2 things—negotiations with an employer, and advocating for enhanced services (which the Canadian public is also overwhelmingly supportive of, btw, according to recent Angus Reid’s polling).

1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 20h

It also clarifies why you seem to be suggesting that the point of the infrastructure is to employ workers, not to meet an obligation or provide a service. Perhaps this has to do with your location, I’m not sure.

2

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 20h

You could also dig into the report itself as covered by Blacklocks.

1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 20h

Wow. Ok, that clarifies this exchange and your perspective.

1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 20h

There are costs in maintaining a universal service (per the Postal Services Charter) that include the infrastructure and the people who staff it—paid by the customer. And that infrastructure is not declining in ‘market value.’ It’s being constrained and financially starved.

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 20h

Gotcha but also I think it’s important to not conflate cost and value. Especially when discussing universality.

1 1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 21h

Canada Post’s own study on postal banking referred to it as a ‘win-win.’ www.cupw.ca/en/who-kille...

Who Killed Canada Post’s Banking Study?

For Immediate Release OTTAWA -- Canada Post Corporation (CPC) conducted a secret four-year study on postal banking, which seems to indicate that getting into financial services would be “a win-win str...

www.cupw.ca

2 1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 21h

I’m not sure why you keep going back to Lee. I know what he’s said. Where’s his evidence?

1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 21h

Could you define ‘value’?

1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 21h

Except we can. And have. With a public mandate and a commitment to universality.

1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 21h

And this is where we disagree. Take a look at the services that other postal services provide. It’s so strange that those who are arguing that the postal service can and should innovate are being accused of being stuck in the past.

1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 21h

As for competition in the parcel delivery business, well I guess now we can get into a conversation about gig employment vs decent jobs with good (not exorbitant) wages and benefits.

1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 21h

And as for commensurate growth in costs, take a look at how other countries have ensured postage costs reflect actual costs (even keeping pace with inflation—which Canada Post has not).

3

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 21h

Parcel delivery is lucrative and offset the decline in letter mail such that Canada Post was actually turning a profit (assuming that’s the goal) not that long ago.

2

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 21h

This isn’t only about being pro-labour. This is about efficient and effective use of current infrastructure and building on its value—not diminishing it.

1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 21h

Canada Post is paid for by users, not taxpayers (with the exception of the recent loan).

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 21h

Who exactly is saying this?

1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 21h

I don’t think anyone is proposing that posties also become bankers or nurses. The point is to build on the existing infrastructure rather than continue to diminish it—and to ensure users pay the cost of the services they’re purchasing.

1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 22h

Yes, I too would rather Canada Post once again return to balance (as it was not so long ago), paying dividends back to the Canadian economy because users were paying what postal services cost. That $1B is a loan.

1 1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 22h

I’ve not seen their business case—can you send it?

1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 22h

The argument being made is that the public postal service infrastructure could serve as the backbone to provide other services including postal banking (as it once did in Canada, and as it currently does in so many other jurisdictions).

2 1

Erika Shaker @ershaker.bsky.social · 1d

This comment in response to the actual continued imprisonment and torture of Palestinian health care workers, and the inhumane refusal by the IOF to release them as part of the ceasefire?

1