President's Message April 2010
Article 5.35 of the CUPW National Constitution mandates that there shall be two Regional President's meetings between conventions. Myself and the 1st Vice-President, Terry Langley, attended the second of these meetings in March 2010 held in Hamilton, Ontario. The Ontario Region Local President's and full time officers, the Regional Executive Committee, 4th National Vice-President, Donald Lafleur, and National Secretary-Treasurer, George Kuehnbaum, and Rural & Suburban Mail Carrier Negotiating Committee members, Jacqueline Wilkinson & Bonnie Pollard, were in attendance. The discussions over the two days of meetings were on the RSMC contract negotiations, reports of the National & Regional grievance departments, upcoming Urban Operations Conferences on contract demands, and preparations for next years (2011) possible strike in Urban Operations.
The RSMC negotiating committee headed by Brother Lafleur gave a report to the meeting and outlined the Union's costed demands to the employer. The parties could not reach an agreement therefore Article 36.04 of the RSMC collective agreement stipulates that, "any unresolved matter resulting from collective bargaining under clause 36.03 will be referred to an arbitrator for final and binding determination in accordance with section 79 of the Canada Labour Code." It was interesting to note that Canada Post had in its demands short term disability management controlled by Manulife. The Union has had extensive experience with Manulife in Urban Operations and will not accept a third party deciding when a member can be off sick or how fast they can recover from illness. To be clear, Manulife does not provide disability insurance.
The National and Regional grievance departments provided a report on grievances across the country. Of note was the fact that the predominance of discharge grievances were under Article 10:10 of the Urban Ops contract. Unlike a typical firing for cause, a release for incapacity (i.e. attendance) means a member can file a grievance and keep working. These cases are always based on the medical information provided by the member. There was a suggestion that this process be streamlined and referred to a single specialized arbitrator to expedite the resolution of these grievances.
There was extensive discussions at the President's meeting regarding the possibility of a strike next year. The Urban Operations Collective agreement expires on January 31, 2011. One of the major issues will be Canada Post's insistence on using a third party subcontractor, Manulife, to decide when Union members get to use their sick time and how long they can be off work. Members may remember that the Union of Postal Communications Employees (UPCE) went on strike in December 2008 over this issue. The Local will be having its demands meeting in April 2010, and Regional Conference to for demands in June 2010.
It has been sometime since the Urban Operations members have seen a strike. The last time was in 1997. CUPW has signed up quite a few new members since then and many have never seen a strike. These new members will no doubt have questions over the next year. CUPW is in a position of strength this round of negotiations. Canada Post has made 14 consecutive years of profits because of your efforts. The employer will again attempt to take advantage of uncertain economic times to try and force concessions. In spite of the fact that they are paying out a bonus. In spite of the fact that the Canadian economy is better off that the United States. In spite of the fact that Canada Post is buying new mail processing equipment and will be around for decades to come.
Nobody can predict what will happen in the future but it is very important to be prepared and to stay informed. Some have suggested that those who get the bonus save it in case there is a strike next year. For those of us who do not get the bonus, it is only prudent to set aside a bit of money every month. Nobody wants a strike. However, if the employer's aggressive attacks on the collective agreement, and belligerent tactics against the membership and the Union continue, there may be no other choice.
In solidarity,
Mark Platt
President
CUPW Hamilton Local 548