At press time, Canada Post rejected the latest contract proposal from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. CUPW had previously voted in favour of strike action if necessary. The union represents about 50,000 workers across Canada and its contract expired on January 31 of this year. Needless to say, a strike would have a huge negative impact on our industry, so let’s hope a negotiated settlement can be reached quickly.
Teamwork. We use the word a lot, but now it’s time for action. As the economic challenges in our industry continue, it’s time to step up to the plate and become members of organizations who have helped this industry so much in the past. There are many advantages to joining that you may not realize – not the least of which is networking with like-minded print professionals across Canada who face the same challenges, but can offer you years of expertise in so many areas. Please check out CPIA’s advertorial on page 34.
Congratulations to Markham-based Sina Printing for their donation that helped earn Kasia Niton, a Sheridan College student, an internship at Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California. This is just another example of the printing industry giving back to the community.
I’ve noticed, especially in the past few months, an increase in the number of new equipment installations across Ctanada. This is always an encouraging sign. For example, Edmonton’s Burke Group of Companies purchased a new Komori GL640 while Scan Copy Print, also Edmonton-based, installed a Xerox Nuvera 200. Richmond Hill Ontario’s Imageworks installed a new Morgana AutoCreaser Pro 50 from Sydney Stone and Montreal’s Pazazz Printing added an Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 to its large-format repertoire. Hopefully, the good news will continue.
Our plans for Printing Survivor 2011 in Toronto Thursday, September 22 are well underway. We want to make this the most practical, informative and helpful show possible. So please tell us what you want to see. Go to http://j.mp/gamsurvey and tell us what you think, what the industry needs right now and how these kinds of events can help all of us move forward.
Also at press time, the Vancouver Canucks were waiting to see who they would battle – Boston Bruins or Tampa Bay Lightning – for the Stanley Cup. By the time you read this, the eventual winner will be decided. If the semi-finals are any indication, the finals promise to be an action-packed, hard-hitting affair. My fearless prediction is Vancouver all the way. Go Canucks Go!
Enjoy the spring and summer. Hopefully the sun, warmer weather and an improving business environment will help keep your spirits up.
