News
MOYA’S VISIT
On June 10th Canada Post CEO Moya Greene stopped by the HMPP clearly to lay the groundwork in her demand for further concessions from us in the 2011 negotiations.
She devoted much of her time to the importance of healthy & safe working conditions while at the same time blaming workers for the alarmingly high injury rates. During the question period I asked how she qualifies her professed concern for the well being of workers in the face of 10,000 job cuts, introduction of non-ergonomic machines, pace expectation employee harassment, implementation of longer letter carrier routes with Geo route, etc. Her response was Canada Post is introducing new ergonomic containers.
This must be one magic tub!!!
Moya also addressed a question on Manulife with the insulting characterization that we’re a bunch of liars and thieves who abuse our sick time. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; Canada Post is successful because of our efforts and not in spite of them. It’s insulting to us as the workers who actually handle the mail to demean our efforts in making Canada Post the most successful it’s been in it’s entire history!!!
Moya spoke on fiscal responsibility in these difficult economic times. It’s an ironic comment coming from the highest paid civil servant in the country. A recent Toronto Sun article identified her salary as almost twice that of the Prime Minister! How hypocritical to demand concessions from Unionized workers, attacking their sick time and benefits in the name of fiscal responsibility, while making no concessions of her own!!
Moya advocated the idea of employee shares. Interesting she’s also gone on record advocating deregulation of the post office. How much does she think her precious shares will be worth if that happens?!? Just another weak attempt to have workers surrender their best interests in the name of corporate profits and management bonuses.
It’s clear, despite the smiles and feigned concern, that we’ll have a fight on our hands come 2011. Only by standing together and continuing to demand our rights under the Collective Agreement and by holding management accountable for their actions will we succeed.
In Solidarity,
Terry Langley
1st Vice President
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Hamilton Local 548 June 17, 2009
Moya Greene’s Visit to Hamilton Mail Processing Plant
The President of Canada Post Corporation (CPC), Moya Greene, was at the Hamilton Mail Processing Plant (HMPP) on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at 8 am to give a presentation to employees and take questions. Also in attendance were Senior Vice-President, Mary Traversy, and Huron Rideau General Manager, Bob Howie. The presentation touched on a number of subjects from the current financial situation, health & safety, and the modernizing of the Post Office.
I had an opportunity to ask Ms. Greene about how many new mail processing machines the HMPP was getting next year and how many jobs will be lost as a result. Bob Howie said we will be getting 8 in total, 4 new Bar Code Sorters (BCS) and 4 Optical Character Readers (OCR’s), for a net loss of 2 mail processing machines. Director Tony Kloosterman told me that CPC is looking at May or June of 2010 to bring them in and that the new BCS’s will likely be in the same place as the old ones and the same for the OCR’s. I was also told the plant is keeping the two Flat Sorting Machines (FSM). Ms. Greene said there would be no job loss as a result. I find it hard to believe there will be no job loss but during the presentation, and in all of CPC’s recent literature, there is a constant refrain about attrition through employee retirements.
1st Vice-President, Terry Langley, asked Ms. Greene about the health & safety of our members in a climate of PACE expectations for clerks, plans to cut 10,000 jobs through attrition, and the computerized route measurement system know as Geo route adversely affecting letter carriers. The response was that CPC was looking at ergonomic improvements. During the presentation Ms. Greene said that the accident rate at CPC was too high and needed to be addressed.
Internal Grievance Officer, Bill Laidlaw, asked Ms. Greene about why CPC is aggressively investing in U.S Equities when the CPC pension plan lost almost 20% last year. Her answer was that the experts were saying the U.S. will lead the world out of the economic down turn and that if the pension plan did not invest in equities then the benefit from it would have to be reduced. She failed to say what would happen if there were more losses to the pension plan in the future.
HMPP Health & Safety Committee member, Don Williams, asked Ms. Greene about the cost of using Manulife and told her about being a survivor of their unpleasant tactics. Her response was that absences were a huge cost at CPC and that we need Manulife to ask employees doctors if they are really sick. She also said many of us treat sick leave like vacation leave. CUPW strongly disagrees with Ms. Greene and her answer makes it very clear what we should expect in 2011.
A CPC supervisor asked Ms. Greene about problems with the Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers pay system and an ongoing problem with some RSMC’s experiencing significant delays in receiving pay. CPC agree this needed to be addressed and Bob Howie said that they were working on a solution to the problem. There was no discussion about the biweekly pay dispute between CUPW and CPC.
A letter carrier asked Ms. Greene about the possibility of asking customers to put their mail boxes at ground level. She replied by explaining that CPC thought this was a good idea but it would be very difficult to get the public to accept the change. Another letter carrier asked about the health & safety training employees get and that new employees should get it first because they have no experience compared to senior members. CPC thought this was a good idea. A clerk asked about the Drug and Dental plan regarding the limited coverage on some benefits. Another member asked about whether the HMPP would be closed in the future and was told it would not. There was a question about the possibility of CPC being privatized and Ms. Greene said there has been no discussion with the Federal Government to privatize.
In solidarity,
Mark Platt
President
CUPW Hamilton Local 548
Strategic Review of the Canada Post Corporation
The Report of the Advisory Panel to the Minister for the Strategic Review of the Canada Post Corporation is now available in printed form. You can now request your free copy at:
http://www.publications.gc.ca/control/publicationInformation?searchAction=2&publicationId=345399
My copy was delivered promptly by UPS! I haven’t read the review as of yet, but this is an immediate issue I have with it.
I would encourage everyone to read it, and respond with issues you have with it. An open forum is available & you are able to email your concerns with your about the report. The site is available at:
http://www.cpcstrategicreview-examenstrategiquescp.gc.ca/index-eng.html
Ken Heydrich
Canadian Union of Postal Workers 548
Overburdening of Mobile letter carriers
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Customers and management have long take advantage of MLC carriers who deliver high volume mail to businesses. Some mailer are giving back to the MLC carriers full polyflutes of returned mail for the carrier to bring back to their depot. There is currently no value for this courtesy. The Letter carrier hand book speaks to this type of customer service. Instructing Letter Carriers to bringing back mail from residential customers, providing stamps (if you choose), change, and checking on shut in residents. The intent of this article was customer service, to the residential customer, who leaves a piece of mail at their receptacle. Not fully capable businesses that have SLB within easy walking distance of their front doors.
The Local has been trying to obtain a value for this service. The Local has told management that we are not trying to disrupt this service, or even recommend any changes. The Local and the carriers are only asking for a value/ recognition of the work being performed. Management alleges they have told their customers not to send the mail back with carriers. Management would not provide the SLB for any of the recidivist mailers to recieve the overburdening, instead of properly crediting MLC with the work they perform.
This is another demonstration that management is not concerned with customer service, but only reducing labour costs.
The SLB value sought for these clearances is 1.37 minutes for each mailer who frequently returned mail with the MLC.
If you have a customer who is sending large mail volumes back with you, call the office, file a grievance.
Fraternally,
Ken Heydrich
Canadian Union of Postal Workers 548
Local T-shirts are now available.
Brothers and Sisters,
The Hamilton Local is now selling t-shirts & jackets. We will be adding various items in the near future. Any suggestions for items, or union campaign sayings are always welcome & considered.
If you are interested in purchasing one of these t-shirts, please contact Ken Heydrich at the Local office. 905.573.8700 EXT:29
(we have a limited supply, items may be purchased on a first come first serve basis)
Prices are $15.00
sizes range from SM-XXL
Local T-shirt
MOYA’S LATEST INTIMIDATION PROGRAM
By now some of you may have been targeted in Moya Greene’s latest attack on workers through something called the “Frequently Injured Employee” process or what I call teh “Myth of the Careless Worker” process.
Simply stated, management attempts to call the worker into an interview and download the blame and responsibility for getting hurt onto them. I’m sure they hope the worker will feel guilt about getting injured and cutting into management target goals of achieving higher executive performance bonuses. Either way the process is designed to harass and intimidate workers into not reporting injuries and to continue working hurt.
If the boss is truly concerned about reducing injuries in the Post Office, and on behalf of all members of the Local, my recommendations are as follows:
- Shorten Letter Carrier Routes!!
- Reduce the ridiculous and excessive pace expectations!!
- Increase job rotation!!
- Stop the slash and burn job cutting
- Establish ergonomic committees and implement their recommendations!!
- Eliminate defective and outdated equipment!!
- Create more full time positions!!
- Create more days shift positions!!
- Create more relief positions!!
- Stop the endless shift changes that keep disrupting workers lives!!
- Get rid of Manulife!!
- Follow the Contract!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t anticipate seeing any of my recommendations implemented in the near future.
These are all within managements control but cost money and the only recommendations management will give consideration to are the ones that perpetuate the myth of the careless worker and don’t cost anything!
I’ve advised members not to attend these interviews and informed management on their behalf why we won’t be participating.
If you are targeted by this program you do NOT have to participate. No CUPW member is obligated to attend an interview for exercising their rights under the Collective Agreement. Immediately contact your Shop Steward or the Local office and let us deal with this on your behalf.
Management’s harassment and intimidation programs only work if we all let them!! The workers united will never be defeated!!
In Solidarity,
Terry Langley
1st Vice President
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Hamilton Local 548
Burlington Shop Stewards
Burlington Main Shop Stewards
Brothers and Sisters,
Please be advised that the following members are now shop stewards in the Burlington Main facility.
Dave Funger
Becky Petro
In Solidarity,
Hamilton Local 548 Executive.
Filing a WSIB claim.
The WSIB has identified that the best way of reducing the number of claims that are denied, is to improve the way that claims are reported.
If you don’t report your injury, you don’t have protection under the WSIA. Some of the best ways of reporting your injury are:
RSMC Joint Health and Safety Minutes, Feb. 4, 09.
Vacant Routes within a 50 mile radius
Presentation of National Grievances RSMC
Bulletin #123 - Grief National N00 00 00012 // Bulletin #123 - National Grievance N00 00 00012
A new form on the site
A new form - the seniority review guidelines- has been added to the site. It is in the forms section, which lists in alphabetical order, so it is near the bottom.
Management’s Hurt Feelings
In a ridiculously obvious gesture of frustration Tony Kloosterman has decided to retaliate against the Local for effectively communicating the truth of Moya Greene’s attack agenda against the workers. In a clearly punitive gesture Tony Kloosterman has informed the Local he is removing some of the Union bulletin boards in the Hamilton Mail Processing Plant and if the Local doesn’t take down my recent bulletin entitled MANAGEMENT SHOWS ITS CONTEMPTUOUS NATURE they will take it down!!
They don’t want you to know the truth!!!
The Local has made it clear to Tony Kloosterman we will not be gagged or censored in disseminating the truth of managements slash and burn agenda to our members. Management has tried to say the bulletin violate 36.02(c) of the Collective Agreement when in reality it’s more likely they don’t want you to know the truth of their actions. If they think the loss of a few bulletin boards will censor the Local they’re sadly mistaken!!!!
President’s Message - February 2009
Finals Consultation for Hamilton Mail Processing Plant (HMPP)
The Local will be meeting with Canada Post on March 2, 2009, for a follow up consultation on the creation of a new Finals section at the HMPP. At our initial meeting on December 1, 2008, Canada Post said they were planning for a March 2009 implementation but it looks like this will be delayed at least until April 2009. The Local will keep the membership informed. Oakville management has not contacted the Local to consult on when their clerks will be moved.
NOO-03-00016 Medysis/Manulife
At the Ontario Regional Presidents meeting on the first weekend of February, Locals were informed that the decision in this extremely important arbitration will be coming out in June. In the meantime members must continue to assert their collective agreement rights to representation, proper notice, and control over choice of physicians and medical treatments, when dealing with Canada Post and their subcontractor Manulife. Members are under no contractual obligation to talk with Manulife from home on your own time.
MANAGEMENT SHOWS ITS CONTEMPTOUS NATURE!!!
Demonstrating what can only be characterized as a contemptuous nature and complete disdain for its workers the boss has once again reneged in its commitments to provide a healthy and safe workplace.
More Manulife Harassment!!
In an unbelievably gross overstated abuse of their authority the bosses agent of evil, Manulife Financial, have been dismissing supplied medical at an unprecedented rate. To begin, it’s important to note that Manulife is NOT a signatory of our Collective Agreement with Canada Post and should have no say in the application of our rights despite their arrogant belief that we all have an obligation to adhere to the opinions of a “case manager” without question.
In support of Moya Greene’s attack on the Contractual rights of sick and injured workers, Manulife has stepped up their “non support” of medical information provide by a workers Doctor and are informing workers they may initiate and “appeal” or “case escalation” with Manulife AT THE WORKERS EXPENSE if they disagree. Otherwise they are being told they must IGNORE THEIR DOCTOR and comply with Manulife!!! That is
ridiculous, reckless and illegal!! Read more »
CUPW-People before Profit- link to U tube
You Tube - People Before Profit, part 1 of 5 on the Strategic Review and the Modern Post.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb7Ysl83gsc
click on the link to see the first of five and then the rest
Final Sort Consultation
On December 1st members of the Local and Regional office met with management to consult on their proposed changes to final sort.
It’s Managements intention to centralize all final sort functions currently done in the depots to the HMPP and create a new section to perform this work. Without providing us with a lot of specifics, the following information is a brief synopsis of what was discussed:
• No reduction of jobs
• Implementation by March 1, 2009
• Proposed hours of work in the new section would be 9pm-5am for F/T and either
6pm-10pm or 7pm-11pm for P/T
• Possible re-classification of some LCA’s to PO4’s
• Retail Clerks to take over box holder sortation
• Proposal of some composite LCA/PO4/Reistration Clerk/Letter Carrier positions
for the depots
• Return to sender mail to be moved to the HMPP
Special Leave tips from your Local
We have all tempted to use sick time instead of Special Leave at times, it’s easier and not often denied. We are not employed by a benevolent employer, and even if someone is dying or when were stuck in 20 feet of snow, the employer has little to no sympathy.
One of the best ways of determining if you will qualify for special leave is by asking yourself this question:
“Would you stay home regardless of the pay?” “Was there no other way of getting to work?” “Is there no one else that could help you?”
IF SO
Sick Leave usage & tips from your Local
1) If you are sick, use your sick leave. (Coming to work sick, doesn’t help anyone).
2) When you phone in sick, you must give your name & state if you are sick or IOD. You must also give your probable date of return. You do not have to give the doctors diagnosis. The Local further suggests that you do not tell the employer your diagnosis. You are not contractually obligated to do so.
3) If you are unable to return to work on the date you gave Canada Post, you need to phone in again & give your name, state that you are sick or injured & provide your new probable date of return.
4) You should phone in prior to the start of your shift; or as soon as possible thereafter.
5) You should make a note of the time and date you phoned in, and with whom you spoke.
6) I you are off for more than five days; or have no more casual sick leave, you MAY need to provide a medical certificate, if requested by the corporation. The medical certificate must nclude the following:
Back To The Table For Rotation Of Duties
There’s been a great deal of discussion of late on the lack of a proper rotation of duties and it’s important everyone understand this is NOT over as far as the Local is concerned!!
During the initial consultation on rotation of duties it got very loud on our side challenging management’s lack of consideration to their obligation under article 33 in respecting the health & safety of its workers. We reminded them in no uncertain terms that we’re presently the second most injured workers in the federal sector with their already insultingly weak rotation pattern. We let them know it’s pathetically insulting and lazy on their part to take a 30 minute pattern, deteriorate that further and call it an improvement! Shift 1 manager Stephen Hewitt just sat back in his chair and stared indifferently at the ceiling throughout our arguments. It’s an accurate characterization of the bosses’ general apathy and Moya’s hollow commitment to Health & Safety as a first priority at Canada Post.
Postal Worker’s Wages
Per Cent Change in Average Wage Between 1983 and 2000
Canada Post Operational Employees 45.2%
All Industries: Canada 57.6%
Transportation , Communications 58.7%
Public Adminsitration 57.3%
Manufacturing 73.9%
Consumer Price Index 63.6%
Source:Human Resources Development Canada
Our Sisters and Brothers in UPCE are now On Strike -We need to support them
Our Sisters and Brothers in the Union of Postal Communications Employees (UPCE) are now on a legal strike as of November 17,2008. The union served Canada Post 72 hour strike notice as of Thursday, November 13, 2008.
If Canada Post doesn’t withdraw their rollbacks -especially around sick leave - we can expect to see picket lines in front of numerous post offices.
Who is UPCE and why are they striking?
List of Drugs Covered by Great West Life for Urban Operations
There is a list of drugs covered by Great West Life, as of January 1, 2008 for the urban operations bargaining unit. The list is at the union office and will be forwarded to stewards. We will try to obtain a new 2009 list when it comes out and forward that too. The Employer reserves the right to change the content of the drug plan list without notice but having the list may still be very helpful to members. To be certain before purchasing drugs check with Great West Life first.
Canada Post charged with unfair labour practices
Ottawa – Canada Post is resorting to unfair labour practices in its contract talks with the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Union of Postal Communications Employees (UPCE), the union charges.
“Canada Post has issued misleading statements to its employees and is disregarding provisions of the Canada Labour Code,” says John Gordon, President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. PSAC is the bargaining agent representing the members of the component UPCE.
The misleading statements identified by Gordon appear in internal communications issued by the employer about a new short-term disability system that the corporation is trying to impose on its employees in order to replace existing sick leave and family leave provisions in the collective agreement.
Employee Dissatisfaction Surveys-Comments by 1st V.P.
By now many of you will have been asked to complete Canada Post’s annual survey on how they’re doing. The annual pat on the back management is seeking from us. This year they’ve decided to include time off the work floor and free food in some locations across the local in the hopes of extorting a sizable return on surveys. No doubt tied to their management bonuses.
GRIMSBY
AUG, 2008
SHOP STEWARD GRIMSBY
CYNITHIA BOWMAN
In Solidarity, Local 548
LETTER CARRIER DEPOT #5
AUG, 2008
SHOP STEWARDS LETTER CARRIER DEPOT #5
NOREEN CAMPBELL
In Solidarity, Local 548
HMPP Shop Stewards
HMPP SHOP STEWARDS
AUGUST, 2008
INTERNAL
SHIFT 1: WILSON CHEW
GREG DOHERTY JOSIE MOLNAR ALLAN STRAKER (EXECUTIVE OFFICER)
SHIFT2: ERWIN BOYAK
BILL LAIDLAW (EXECUTIVE OFFICER) MARLENE SALMON MARY SCHENK TOM VERNON
SHIFT3: HAZEL ARNOLD PATRICIA HANNERMAN
RON BRITT DAVID KRANGLE
ANNIE BROWN DORIS KOREN
BRUCE FRASER LEA ST. PIERRE
DOUG WOLGRAM JOETTE WADDELL
JEFFREY EDWARDS
EXTERNAL
GREG NOONAN, DON MIDDLETON, Tracy Prowse, Dave Krangle
SOCIAL STEWARD
DON WILLIAMS
ANYONE WANTING TO BECOME A STEWARD PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY/TREASURER
IN SOLIDARITY, LOCAL 548
Many reasons to oppose postal deregulation-National Bulletin
URBAN UNIT
RURAL AND SUBURBAN UNIT
PRIVATE SECTOR UNITS
July 17, 2008
Many reasons to oppose postal deregulation
The federal government is conducting a review of our public post office called the Canada Post Corporation Strategic Review. The government has given the review’s advisory panel a very broad mandate. It has ruled out privatization, but not deregulation of Canada Post. There are many good reasons to oppose deregulation.
This is the first in a series of five bulletins with five good reasons.
HEALTH & SAFETY-National Bulletin
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
JUL 22 2008
HEALTH & SAFETY
Bulletin no.39 July 14, 2008
DECLARE WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS
In a message included with the pay statement for June, Canada Post wrote: “How you can improve your bonus: Safety First - it pays!” The employer lists a number of things we can do to prevent accidents and says that by lowering the frequency of accidents by 7% this year over last year, we can add 10% to our CTI. The Corporation goes on to say that, so far, our accidents have gone up, not down, and asks us to help change that.
Updated RSMC Seniority Lists -National Bulletin
URBAN UNIT
RURAL AND SUBURBAN UNIT
PRIVATE SECTOR UNITS
July 16, 2008
Updated RSMC Seniority Lists
Lists to be updated every six months
On or about July 14, 2008, the new updated RSMC seniority lists were sent by CPC to all CUPW Locals and posted in your postal installations.
Local 548 Committee Election Results
Education: Ken Heydrich (executive appointee), Robin Evans, Randy Drees, Maureen Langley, Ruth Otterman.
Disciplinary: Ken Heydrich (executive appointee), Mary Schenk, Ray Georgeoff.
Women’s Committee: Orla Stanziani (executive appointee), Hazel Arnold, 2 positions available.
Solidarity Committee (Entertainment): VACANT (executive appointee), Hazel Arnold, Lea St. Pierre, 3 positions still available.
Grievance Committee: Mark Platt, Bill Laidlaw and Jim Platt (executive appointees), Mary Schenk and Joette Waddell.
Human Rights Committee: Al Straker (executive appointee), Lea St. Pierre, Ian Dick, Pat Hanneman,Joette Waddell.
Trustee Committee: Don Williams, Ray Georgeoff, Lea St. Pierre.
Oranization Committee:,Bankie Fergusson, 2 position available
Health and Safety Committees:yet to be determined under article 33 and the labour code.
Hamilton Local 548
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