CUPW Stand Against Job Cuts And Stamp Costs

If you're a bit older -- or disabled -- it could be a lot harder for you to get your mail.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says Canada Post wants to cut door-to-door delivery and put everyone in community mailboxes -- which the unions claim will make it harder, especially in the winter months, for everyone to get their mail.

Tony Villeneauve tells Tide News Canada Post also wants to raise the cost of one stamp to $1. He says they need the public support in St. Stephen, for people to sign the petition, call their Mp's, write their MP's, and let them know that this is not what the people of St. Stephen deserve. He calls this an attack on workers, corporations, and on service.

Villeneauve says CP wants to cut 6000 to 8000 jobs nationwide over 5 years. He says that translates into 4 job losses in St. Stephen alone.

CUPW will be marching in front of MP John Williamson's office on Monday, January 27th on Milltown Blvd in St. Stephen.

You can sign the petition opposing the job cuts and raise in stamp prices by going to www.savecanadapost.ca .

Minister To Meet To Discuss Future Of Lobster Industry

Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries ministers from the Maritime Provinces will be meeting from March 26 - 27 in Halifax to talk about why the price of lobster has plummeted so drastically, and what can be done to strengthen the industry.

The summit will focus on the Maritime Lobster Panel report, given to the three ministers last November. It addresses why the price of lobster dropped in the spring of 2013 and looks at the various cost and revenue aspects of harvesters, buyers and processors.

The report also looks at ways to stabilize and potentially increase prices paid to harvesters, and a possible formal system where the industry would know the price that will be paid in advance.

Anxiety Levels Among Students At U-N-B Rising

As the strike by university professors at U-N-B in Saint John, Fredericton and Bathurst continues, the Provincial NDP is calling for students to be legislatively protected both academically and financially from losing out. 

Pat Joyce is Executive-Director of the New Brunswick Student Alliance and tells Tide News, financially that would mean rebates on their tuition.
 
As for what could be done for them if their semester is lost, Joyce says that would be unprecedented but a semester could very go down the drain, he has heard, if a strike lasted more than 4 weeks. He would hope the provincial government would step in and help the students out if that happened.

Old Man Winter Is Back

The storm which hammered the northeastern U.S. is hammering down on us.

Mel Lemmon of Environment Canada tells Tide News things are turning for the worst this afternoon because of heavier snow accompanied by strong winds. He says we can expect winds gusts up to 60 km/h, and those will continue through tonight before it starts to taper off.

Grand Manan and coastal Charlotte County is also under a blizzard warning with 15-25 cms of snow expected.

St. Stephen is only calling for 10-15 cms of snow with lighter winds.

Plane Crash In Fredericton Area With Pilot Rescued

An investigation will be launched to determine why a small plane with a trainee pilot crashed last night near Highway 10 and Grub Road, between Fredericton and Minto. 

The Fredericton Fire Department says phone contact was made with the pilot who was found near by after an extensive search in dense brush and then was airlifted to hospital for medical treatment. He's listed in critical condition.


The pilot is in his 20's but his name has not been released. He managed to crawl out of the wreckage and called for help on his cellphone.

Meantime, on the east side, there was a two vehicle collision yesterday afternoon at 340 Loch Lomand Road. One person was taken to hospital.