If property tax, heating and energy bills aren't delivered because of a postal strike, they still have to be paid.
The City of Peterborough, Peterborough Utilities, Hydro One and Enbridge Gas are notifying customers of options available to find out billing information and to pay amounts owing if this area is affected by the work disruption at Canada Post that was slated to begin in Winnipeg at midnight.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers announced Thursday that its members in Winnipeg would strike for 24 hours, then the strike would continue in other locations that would be announced later.
Canada Post offered last-minute concessions in talks late Thursday night, but they failed to sway the union, which represents 54,000 workers.
Peterborough Utilities customer service manager David Whitehouse urged customers to sign up for pre-authorized payments and electronic billing.
"People who don't have access to the Internet, we're going to be taking some alternative methods to be able to get those bills out," he said, not specifying how the bills would be delivered.
If the strike at Canada Post becomes a serious issue for payments, Peterborough Utilities may reconsider its late payment fees, Whitehouse said.
"We'll look at the impacts of waiving the late payment fees," he said.
Peterborough Utilities customers can pay their bills online, using a telephone system or through an automated teller machine. There are also drop-off boxes for bills at the Peterborough Utilities office on Ashburnham Dr. and City Hall.
Whitehouse said any customers that have sent payments through the mail in the last four days should contact Peterborough Utilities to make sure that the payment has been received.
Hydro One customers were sent a notice with their last bill to inform them of the options for billing and payments if there's a postal workers strike, said Daniele Gauvin, a spokeswoman with Hydro One.
"We want to make sure that our customers are aware that they have options to reach us to find out what their billing balance is and to make payments should there be a postal disruption," she said.
Enbridge Gas customers should sign up for pre-authorized payments at www.enbridgegas.com, said Chris Meyer, an Enbridge Gas spokeswoman.
Customers who don't have access to the Internet can use Enbridge's automated phone system at 1-877-362-7434 to check account balances, she said.
Property taxes still need to be paid if there's a postal strike, financial services manager Richard Freymond said.
"Taxpayers are still responsible to ensure that their property tax installments are paid as they come due," he said.
Suppliers that sell items to the city can register for direct deposits to get their payments from the city, Freymond said, adding the form to register can be found on the city's website.
Social services has arranged for the pick up or drop off of documents, such as cheques, for Ontario Works, Freymond said.
"Direct deposit is offered for clients," he said.
The union argues Canada Post is demanding an end to sick leave for all employees and the imposition of a short-term disability plan that provides inadequate coverage for short-term illnesses. It claims Canada Post is demanding a starting wage 22% less than the current starting rate.
Canada Post responds that the union's offer would increase costs by $1.4 billion over the life of the contract and doesn't provide any compromises to help address the challenges facing the company.
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The Canadian Union of Postal Workers announced Thursday that its members in Winnipeg would strike for 24 hours, then the strike would continue in other locations that would be announced later.
Canada Post offered last-minute concessions in talks late Thursday night, but they failed to sway the union, which represents 54,000 workers.
Peterborough Utilities customer service manager David Whitehouse urged customers to sign up for pre-authorized payments and electronic billing.
"People who don't have access to the Internet, we're going to be taking some alternative methods to be able to get those bills out," he said, not specifying how the bills would be delivered.
If the strike at Canada Post becomes a serious issue for payments, Peterborough Utilities may reconsider its late payment fees, Whitehouse said.
"We'll look at the impacts of waiving the late payment fees," he said.
Peterborough Utilities customers can pay their bills online, using a telephone system or through an automated teller machine. There are also drop-off boxes for bills at the Peterborough Utilities office on Ashburnham Dr. and City Hall.
Whitehouse said any customers that have sent payments through the mail in the last four days should contact Peterborough Utilities to make sure that the payment has been received.
Hydro One customers were sent a notice with their last bill to inform them of the options for billing and payments if there's a postal workers strike, said Daniele Gauvin, a spokeswoman with Hydro One.
"We want to make sure that our customers are aware that they have options to reach us to find out what their billing balance is and to make payments should there be a postal disruption," she said.
Hydro One customers can visit www.hydroone.com to manage their accounts or can call 1-888-664-9376 to determine account balances.
Customers who don't have access to the Internet can use Enbridge's automated phone system at 1-877-362-7434 to check account balances, she said.
Property taxes still need to be paid if there's a postal strike, financial services manager Richard Freymond said.
"Taxpayers are still responsible to ensure that their property tax installments are paid as they come due," he said.
Suppliers that sell items to the city can register for direct deposits to get their payments from the city, Freymond said, adding the form to register can be found on the city's website.
Social services has arranged for the pick up or drop off of documents, such as cheques, for Ontario Works, Freymond said.
"Direct deposit is offered for clients," he said.
The union argues Canada Post is demanding an end to sick leave for all employees and the imposition of a short-term disability plan that provides inadequate coverage for short-term illnesses. It claims Canada Post is demanding a starting wage 22% less than the current starting rate.
Canada Post responds that the union's offer would increase costs by $1.4 billion over the life of the contract and doesn't provide any compromises to help address the challenges facing the company.
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