President's Message August 2010 (HMPP)
The Union consulted with Canada Post on July 30, 2010, to discuss the ongoing changes with regards to Postal Transformation. Article 29.05 requires Canada Post to, “... hold constructive and meaningful consultations in an effort to reach agreement on solutions to the problems arising from this change.” The main areas of discussion were around the lack of rotation of duties, insufficient staffing on the new MLOCR's, the resulting work refusals, and the removal of anti-fatigue matting.
The Union raised its objection to Canada Post removing the ant-fatigue matting from the new MLOCR's. With only 2 of the 8 MLOCR's in operation, members have been telling the Union how they have noticed the change in terms of physical adverse affects. CUPW National 3rd Vice-President, George Floresco, pointed out to Canada Post that Hamilton had more space then Winnipeg or Toronto for the new machines. Local 1st Vice-President, Terry Langley, argued that matting has been used for many years on the older machines. Canada Post asked for studies to show why mats were needed. The Union has a standing offer to Canada Post, brought forward by 2nd Vice-President, Ken Heydrich, to bring in an ergonomist from the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) to assess the MLOCR's. Canada Post said it would review and respond.
The Union also raised concerns brought forward by the membership from phone calls, discussions with the plant Health & Safety Committee, and in person discussions regarding the lack of proper rotation of duties along with sufficient staffing on the MLOCR's. Canada Post training manuals clearly indicate that 3 employees are required to operate a single new MLCOR. With the introduction on the second MLOCR, Canada Post has gone from 3 employees to each machine to 2 ½, trying to utilize the material handler between two machines. CUPW National 3rd Vice-President, George Floresco, pointed out to Canada Post that Winnipeg was using two employees just to feed their MLOCR's. Every member the Union spoke with said this was insufficient. Canada Post tried to rationalize that the training manuals gave them flexibility. The Union disagrees and has advised members to file a grievance every time they are put in this
situation. The Local is already getting grievances on the issue.
In both instances, members have the right to refuse unsafe work under Article 33.13 of the collective agreement or under the Canada Labour Code. The Local has received reports of members refusing unsafe work for lack of training, lack of ant-fatigue matting, and improper rotation of duties. The Local also raised the fact that it appears that none of the work refusals were properly investigated. Canada Post said they would ensure any work refusal would be investigated and that recent refusals would be reviewed. Notwithstanding, if Canada Post is reluctant to address these issues in a timely manner they will continue to face work refusals and grievances until the problems are addressed. Our members are not guinea pigs to be tested to see how far they can be pushed.
The Local again raised the question of job deletions related to Postal Transformation. Canada Post said that it has not begun to make cuts yet and that ongoing job deletions are not related. The Union reminded Canada Post that the amount of extensions and overtime appear to be up and that Management cannot justify the cuts. Grievances have been filed on the matter and the Local is confident an arbitrator will direct Canada Post to restore some jobs.
The Union's national grievance on Modern Post began arbitration on June 1, 2010, and encompasses the changes occurring at the HMPP. The Union will continue to meet with Canada Post monthly and bring the memberships concerns to the table. Canada Post told the Local that it will not be ready at the August consultation with complete information on their recent 6.05 change to delete Short & Long and Oversize. The Local will be asking questions nonetheless.
In solidarity,
Mark Platt
President
CUPW Hamilton Local 548