Irving empire squeezes newspaper carriers for a penny

Update, Feb. 11, 2015: CBC News is reporting that Irving is rolling back the one-cent cut to “walking carriers,” who earn only 15 cents per paper or flyer.

The Times & Transcript, part of the multi-billion dollar Irving empire, is leaning on its carriers to squeeze an extra penny a paper out of them.

As reported by more than one carrier on the Moncton Chat Facebook group today, the Times & Transcript is reducing the amount it pays its carriers from 50 cents per paper or flyer to 49 cents.

The terms are contained in a contract that was distributed to carriers. The carriers, in turn, have to sign them to acknowledge receipt and that they accept the conditions.

The changes impact some of the lowest-paid workers in the city.

“My son got his as well,” said a Facebook commentator. “He was upset. Yes its only $0.01 less but it adds up over time.”

“The fact is they know we’re powerless. They make changes to suit them, so called contracts they break they know they can,” said another.

The Facebook thread can be accessed here.

The Times & Transcript had no notification in its newspaper of the change, and they are invited to comment here or in the Facebook thread.

This post originally appeared in the Moncton Free Press.