How Canadian local mailers are navigating soaring gasoline prices

According to the mail carrier,gasoline prices are skyrocketing and Canadians have a lot of living expenses.

"I'm out of stress," the mother of two Calgary boys, 11,000 local and suburban mail carriers sending letters toCanadaPostacross the country. One of the members, Jennifer Henson, 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."

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38-year-old she is a Fordflex He said it cost $ 60 to fill the tank.

"Now it costs $ 125 to fill the tank every two days, so it's completely doubled.

Canada Post's rural and suburban mail carriers do not receive red and white corporate trucks and gas cards like urban mail carriers 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.

She said the royal company offered a biweekly allowance of $ 720 with the help of the Canada Revenue Agency, but said it wasn't. Sufficient.

"I don't want to blame Canada Post because most aviation, whether in urban or rural areas. If you talk to the company, I love our work. I love my route. The countryside is relaxed. I met wonderful people, "Henson, who has been a career for 16 years. Told.

"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. "

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she also said CRA raised 5 cents per liter this year, but she "A few cents haven't done much in a year. Previously, gas was about a dollar less."

According to Canada Post, this week's annual inflation rate is gasoline prices. Boosted by soaring prices, it soared to its highest level in almost 40 years in May.

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.

The prices of almost all groceries in grocery carts have also increased by 9.7% compared to a year ago.

Henson Her finances, said the bill at the grocery store is also a burden.

"My eldest son is 14 and my youngest will be 12 next month. They will grow up. And eat more than most of my friends, "she said.

"When you go to the grocery store, it just blows my heart. How do people survive?"

Calgary Local Chairman of Canada Post 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 somehow make it work so that local drivers can afford these gas prices?"

Canada Post A spokeswoman said in an email: Mailers 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," Phil Legault said. I am saying.

He stated that local and suburban postman is entitled to a living allowance to deal with additional or unexpected costs.

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"We reviewed this throughout the year and paid according to the collective bargaining agreement," Lego 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 vice-chairman said that inflation surges and gas and diesel costs had the greatest impact on rural Canada.

"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.

© 2022 TheCanadian Press