Article author:
Canadian news agency
Fakiha Baig
According to mail carriers, gas prices and costs have skyrocketed, so out-of-pocket costs for delivering packages along local routes. Has doubled.
"Stress is exhausted" in the life that many Canadians are experiencing, the mother of two Calgary boys, 11,000 regions that deliver letters to Canada Post across the country. And Jennifer Henson, one of the suburban mail carriers, said.
"It's not just gas. Living costs have skyrocketed," Henson said. "I'm always thinking about this invoice and how to pay for it. I'm no different from a Canadian working class nationwide."
38 years old The woman said it cost $ 60 to fill the Fordflex tank.
"Now it costs $ 125 to fill the tank every two days, so it's completely doubled."
Canada Post Local and Suburban Mail Delivery companies do not receive red and white corporate trucks and gas cards like urban mailers do. Therefore, in addition to having to use a personal vehicle with a minimum cargo capacity of 1,415 liters, local carriers also bear the cost of gas, maintenance and insurance for the vehicle.
"I drive over 200 kilometers a day. I pass through tires, oil changes and brake sets much faster than the average person," Henson said. To pay those bills, but she said it wasn't enough.
"We don't want to blame Canada Post if we talk to most airlines, whether in urban or rural areas, we love work. That's why. I love my route. The countryside is relaxing. I met wonderful people, "said Henson, who has been a career for 16 years.
"But Canada Post has also raised its fuel surcharges, so if you go to the post office and mail something, you'll pay more as a customer because of the fuel. That's totally to us. I don't care. "
She also said that CRA raised 5 cents per liter this year, but" when gas a year ago was about $ 1 less, a few cents wasn't that much. " I haven't done much. "
According to Statistics Canada, this week's annual inflation rate surged to its highest level in almost 40 years in May, boosted by soaring gasoline prices.
The agency states that the consumer price index in May rose 7.7% compared to a year ago. This is the largest rise since January 1983.
Almost all food prices in grocery carts have also risen 9.7% compared to a year ago.
Henson said she was also burdening her finances with grocery billing.
"My eldest son is 14 and my youngest will be 12 next month. They are growing up and eating more than most of my friends," she says. I did.
"When you go to a grocery store, it just blows my heart. How do people survive?"
Canada Post Chairman of Calgary Local Anna Beer said Canada Post needs to increase the allowances for local workers.
"Canada Post can offer (to their workers) all sorts of things like Tim Hortons gift cards," Beer said. "Why don't you take that money instead and make it work so that local drivers can afford these gas prices?"
A Canada Post spokesperson said in an email that mail carriers are adapting to the increasing costs of much of their work.
"Fuel prices are in an unprecedented territory and are impacting the industry as a whole," said Phil Legault.
He stated that local and suburban postman is entitled to a living allowance to deal with additional or unexpected costs.
"This is reviewed year-round and paid according to collective bargaining agreements," Legault said.
"The Canadian Postal Workers Union requires us to discuss this issue and we will continue to work on them on this issue."
Canadian Agricultural Federation Along with carriers, the surge in inflation and the cost of gas and diesel have hit Canada's rural areas the most.
"We don't have access to public transport, so we have to drive everywhere, so we're sure to pay a disproportionate amount of fuel," Keith Curry said.
This report by Canadian Press was first published on June 24, 2022.
—
This article was funded by Meta and the Canadian Press News Fellowship.
