Latest news with #Layfield
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Strike or Lockout on Horizon? Businesses Prepare for Canada Post Labor Dispute
Canada's postal workers could be gearing up for another work stoppage later this month as two existing labor agreements are set to expire May 22. On Wednesday, Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) agreed to resume negotiations on two separate contracts for urban postal workers and rural and suburban mall carriers. More from Sourcing Journal West Coast Port Union Slams Trump's 'Reckless, Shortsighted' Tariff Policy Why REI Retracted Support of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum Amazon Shareholders Question Company Over Quebec Facility Closures The union went on a month-long strike starting in mid-November before the country's labor relations board issued a back-to-work order that extended the prior collective bargaining agreements to late May. But new contracts between both parties have still never been ironed out. A first attempt at negotiations kicked off in March, but the talks broke down after two days. As the talks reignite, Canadian businesses have started to prepare for the potential second labor action that could take place, according to Alison Layfield, director of product development at international parcel and mail shipping solutions provider ePost Global. 'Businesses already made up their minds that with this potential threat coming May 22, they have already started shifting volumes, some as early as today, May 1,' Layfield told Sourcing Journal. 'Others are looking at dates next week. And the reason for that is, they don't want to get caught again in that bottleneck of their shipments not moving.' The latest mediator-supervised contract talks took place over a two-day stretch through Thursday, according to both negotiating parties. According to Layfield, many retailers were dependent on Canada Post before the winter strike, which ultimately led to some parcel and mail delays around Christmas. 'They didn't have alternative options, especially the smaller retailers specifically here in Canada,' said Layfield. She noted that this time is different, highlighting that one shipper partner that was exclusively reliant on the national courier in November has already reached out to another carrier if another work stoppage takes place. 'This time around, companies know the threat is real, and they're taking it much more seriously,' Layfield said. 'As a business, you are impacted in so many areas like your customer service and your operations. 'What do we do with these parcels if we can't move them via Canada Post? Where do we store them?' There's just so many components of the business that have to be looked at. But again, I think everyone is ready this time around.' There are still four possible scenarios if a new agreement between Canada Post and the CUPW is not reached. Canada Post can lock the union out, like what the Canadian ports and railroads did during their respective labor negotiations last year. The postal service could also impose major changes to working conditions or start issuing layoff notices to union members. For the union, they could strike again if they aren't locked out. According to Layfield, the likelihood of a lockout is higher than a strike at this point due to the costs Canada Post would likely bear if the workers walked off the job. 'They can't afford to pay union wages if their volumes deteriorate like we anticipate they will, because everybody is looking at contingencies,' Layfield said. 'Some have already actioned them, and others in our industry are all looking at what we can do to ensure that our customers find alternatives. We don't have all our eggs in one basket with Canada Post.' Finally, the government could intervene for a second time, similar to how they ended the work stoppages at the ports and on the rail. Canada Post, like its American counterpart, the U.S. Postal Service, is under significant financial distress. In January, the federal government had to lend $1 billion Canadian dollars ($720 million) to the courier to ensure it 'can maintain its solvency' through the 2025-26 fiscal year. That month, the struggling Crown corporation terminated three senior executives including chief financial officer Jan Faryaszewski. One month later, nearly 50 non-union managers were laid off. Layfield stressed that Canada Post will have to modify its business model as more final mile carriers take up market share and the courier keeps burning through cash. 'They cannot compete in the market as it is today. The days of a letter carrier walking down the street putting mail in your mailbox—we all know those are, those are really over,' Layfield said. 'A lot of the neighborhoods have the 'super' mailboxes, so you don't have a letter carrier. You have someone driving up in a Canada Post vehicle, opening those boxes, putting in your parcels and mail. A letter carrier is not going to be lugging around parcels to deliver by hand to these neighborhoods.' For retailers that haven't prepared for the possible upcoming work stoppage, ePost is educating customers on nuances including rerouting rural and P.O. box shipments, which only Canada Post can reach. 'We've been recommending to our customers that they make sure that they alert the consumer to use their street address,' Layfield said. 'Putting a little message out on checkout is a good way of sending that message.'
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Gold Star families remember loved ones during annual retreat
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Several Gold Star parents are returning home after coming together to remember loved ones they've lost. After losing his son in the line of duty, Terry Burgess needed a way to grieve. In time, he and his wife co-founded the Gold Star Parents Retreat. From 2016 to now, Burgess' idea has continued to provide an outlet for grieving families. 'We just started sharing stories, talking about our grief, our loss, and everything, and dealing with it. And every one of those parents said, This is what we've been searching for,' Burgess said. This year's retreat was the fourth in a row to come to Wichita Falls, and each year, families keep coming back and growing their own Gold Star family. 'The fact that they are willing to travel from coast to coast to come to Wichita Falls, Texas, that's a huge success for us,' Burgess said. 'That means we're doing something right.' Dianne Layfield came from California and pioneered much of the gold-star infrastructure now in place. She credits her son, Travis, with pushing her forward. 'I've stayed busy,' Layfield said. 'I've just been kind of a voice for Travis, letting other Gold Star families know that we're here for you, and we walk it together. My pain is as hard as yours, and we live it together.' Layfield has become a regular on the retreats. Following Travis's passing in Iraq, she came to understand the importance of what the retreats aim to accomplish. 'We're a family now, you know, we walk the same journey in this community now that we're in,' Layfield said. 'We can love, laugh, hug, we know what we're going through.' As each family returns home, they'll return next year to rekindle the bond between these Gold Star families. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Houston no-kill animal shelter victim of a crime that was caught on camera
The Brief A Houston no-kill shelter has become the victim of a crime after a man stole items. The shelter, Friends for Life Animal Shelter, has been helping save the lives of thousands of dogs and cats for 23 years. Houston police are searching for the suspect involved. The shelter is seeking assistance through donations, volunteering, and fostering. HOUSTON - For 23 years, Friends for Life Animal Shelter has helped save the lives of thousands of dogs and cats. Now, it's the shelter that needs a helping hand. What we know "He kind of destroyed our trust in people, which is really a sad thing," said Fiona Layfield, Friends for Life Managing Director. The shelter is hoping donors can help them recover from an unwanted visit from the suspect. A camera captures him making a beeline for an exterior office. "He broke through one of the windows to see what he could find that would be quick and easy to sell. He kicks down the door from the inside, and he stole a laptop, a mini fridge, some tools," Layfield said. "As a nonprofit, we are always struggling for money and to have to spend money on extra security, fixing doors, and replacing equipment. It breaks my heart because we want all the money we have that we get from donors to go towards the animals." What they're saying "I would just ask him was it really worth it," said Layfield. "He's probably going to sell the items on the street for a fraction of what they're worth, but he's destroyed some of our trust in humanity. He's broken so many hearts, was it really worth it?" If you know who the suspect is, contact Houston police at (713) 884-3131. What you can do Donors are helping Friends For Life replace some of the stolen items. If you'd like to help Friends For Life by donating, volunteering, or fostering, click here. The Source FOX 26 Reporter Randy Wallace spoke with Fiona Layfield, Friends for Life Managing Director.
