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
The Union tabled several questions and concerns on this including how the bidding for assignments will take place. Under the Collective Agreement if there is no deletion of positions 13.04(b) stipulates that all employee's within the classification as defined under Appendix "A" bid for any assignments that remain in the section(depot). Anyone who doesn't secure an assignment by there seniority will become unassigned. Consequently, all assignments in the new final sort section will be open for bid to all employees within the same classification in the Hamilton 6.05 post office.
When asked about permanently modified workers in the depots, management would not commit to how they would be affected at this time. It was the Union's position that all PPD accommodations remain in place.
The Union also made it clear we would grieve any deleted LCA final sort positions.
When asked for the rationale for this move Tony Kloosterman stated its part of the National Postal Transformation underway across the Country.
Clearly this is a further move towards the elimination of jobs by providing greater staffing flexibility in localizing finals in one location.
The Union will continue to push for adequate staffing in the depots for the work that remains and sufficient staffing and training in the new final sort section.
There will be further consultation on this with the next date set for January. We've told management that, notwithstanding the PSAC strike, we absolutely must have paperwork on this.
As the situation develops we will continue to keep you informed. In Solidarity,
Terry Langley
1st Vice President
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Hamilton Local 548 December 5, 2008