WEDNESDAY JUNE 28, 2006

CANADA POST GAZETTES DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL RATES
Following the process established for increases to the basic domestic letter rate, Canada Post announced in the Canada Gazette Part 1, June 28) a one cent increase to $0.52 based on the rate cap formula approved by the government of Canada, to be effective January 15, 2007. Proposed rate adjustments for International and USA also appear in the Canada Gazette, and mailers can appeal these proposals through Regulatory Affairs at Canada Post:

Members can access full information: http://canadagazette.gc.ca Questions, issues or comments: executive@nammu.org Chapter Directors will advise of any forthcoming information on commercial rates and conditions.

For the last three years, NAMMU has successfully promoted awareness around the plight of commercial incentive rate Lettermail users, and their exclusion from any known formal process of consultation and appeal. Culminating in the 2005 JUST SAY NO campaign, this awareness program will now focus on the next logical step of remedial action to correct this imbalance. The realignment around lines of business should assist this remedial action, given that Transaction Mail now has its own president, Peter Melanson, and a team dedicated to maintaining and growing volume. NAMMU president, Kathleen Rowe has encouraged the new Transaction Mail team to take a positive first step in process improvement, and present at least directional thinking on Lettermail incentive rates.

WEYERHAEUSER TO CUT EMISSIONS
Forest products giant Weyerhaeuser Co. is pledging to set an example to the rest of the industry by cutting its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent by 2020, a move they say should be good for both its bottom line and the environment. Weyerhaeuser, which has major operations in Canada, says it hopes to achieve that goal by investing in new technology that will allow its North American pulp mills to run on alternative energy sources such as biomass, instead of fossil fuels. According to a report in the Globe and Mail (Environment, Peter Kennedy, June 21), Weyerhaeuser plans to take another step toward its goal by investing U.S. $344-million in technology upgrades at pulp mills in Red River, La., and Grand Prairie, Alta.

In Grand Prairie, the company is reportedly spending $160-million to harness the benefits of biomass as a fuel. When the upgrade is completed in February, the Grand Prairie operation, which also includes a sawmill and related timberlands, is expected to be not only energy self-sufficient but capable of supplying excess power to the grid. Sarah Goodman, a spokesman for Weyerhaeuser’s Canadian division, stated this would be “a new revenue stream for us.” Learn more: www.weyerhaeuser.com

LETTERMAIL SORTATION SOFTWARE ISSUES
Toronto Chapter Director, Craig Porter (Mackenzie Financial), had the follow-through for more specific information on the Chapter agenda June 20th, however, the participants did not mirror the original April 7th workshop national composite. In order to provide whatever insight is available as to the gaps between Canada Post requirements and current software performance, please contribute your experience by July 14 to: executive@nammu.org

 

DRAFT CODE OF ETHICS UNDER REVIEW
All NAMMU Councils will have the opportunity to review the Association’s Mailing Industry Code of Ethics in draft form before general membership release at the Annual General Meeting this fall. Designed to complement the high standards already set by individual member organizations, this document codifies expected standards of conduct by all sectors of the mailing industry. The Board of Directors reviewed the initial draft at its April meeting, Laura Artibello, Chairman of the VAM Council, lead the first Council review at the April 20th strategic session. The Mail Marketing Council, Transaction Mail Council, and Publications Mail Council will each have the opportunity for input. Each review ensures members ideas issues and concerns can be voiced and addressed before the general membership presentation of what should be close to the final product.