Help pages on the Internet, delivery services to the rescue, telephone assistance: large companies like Hydro-Québec and Bell are increasing the number of tools to keep in touch with their customers despite the strike at Canada Post. Strike or not, an unpaid invoice results in late fees.
Published at 6:00 a.m.
At Hydro-Québec, we notably decided to use the services of Purolator, which is 91% owned by Canada Post, to deliver the Hilo footbridges. These small devices allow heating appliances to be controlled to reduce energy consumption during peak demand.
Regarding invoices, we note that 65.3% of customers receive them via the Internet, “compared to 24.7% by mail,” specifies spokesperson Cendrix Bouchard.
What do we do with these? First, they are much rarer, barely 0.16%, to pay their bill by sending a check by mail. Almost all customers therefore pay online, at the counter, at the counter or by pre-authorized payment.
The challenge, obviously, is to convince the last holdouts to at least open an account on the Hydro-Québec site to consult their balance.
“If customers need help creating their customer space, they can contact customer service,” specifies the spokesperson. It is possible to make an internet payment from the customer area or to register for direct debit. A payment can also be made through the website of a financial institution or at the counter. »
Late fees
At Bell Canada, it is claimed that the impact of the strike on deliveries is “minimal”, with services other than Canada Post having been called to the rescue. “The vast majority of our customers receive their invoice electronically,” says Myriam Labelle, spokesperson. People who still receive it in paper format and who have an email address on file have received an email notice encouraging them to opt for electronic billing and indicating the options available to them for paying their bill. »
Bell has posted a rather comprehensive section online giving advice. From the outset, we recall the rule that is in force in all organizations, from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec to the Canada Revenue Agency via Hydro-Québec: “Don’t forget that It is your responsibility to pay your bill on time during a postal strike. » Late fees will apply if a customer is unable to send their check or receive their invoice, we warn.
We obviously encourage customers to open a MonBell account, consult their balance and sign up for automatic debit. “Our customer service agents are ready to support customers who are unable to communicate with us electronically,” assures Mme Labelle.
The conflict gets bogged down
While the Canada Post strike has lasted nearly four weeks, the postal service has difficulty seeing an end to the conflict.
On Monday, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) sent out its latest list of proposals, which includes wage increases and job protections. But Canada Post said in a statement Monday that the proposals do not bring the two sides closer together in a dispute that has paralyzed millions of deliveries. The company said it was conducting a full review of the offers, but that the union had in some cases increased its demands or reverted to its previous positions.
CUPW also accused Canada Post of not giving in on what it called “numerous setbacks” in pensions, benefits and salary increases. The union’s new wage proposal is lower than its previous demands.
On Monday, the union said it was seeking wage increases of 9% in the first year of the contract, followed by 4% in the second year and 3% in the next two years, for a total of 19%. This compares to a previous demand of 22% or 24% combined. He said he is also seeking greater job security and higher short-term disability benefits.
With The Canadian Press
Read Hydro-Québec’s advice
Visit the Bell Help Page
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