President's Message December 2010
Urban Operations postal workers can be forgiven for wondering why, after 15 years of profits, Canada Post is asking for so many concessions in this round of contract negotiations. Postal worker's cannot be blamed for the economic downturn in 2009, nor can they be blamed for the huge debt the Corporation is incurring to modernize. Canada Post stood silently by while the Conservatives passed partial deregulation of international letters in the last budget under Bill C-9, thus giving away revenues. Across the country Canada Post has been reducing its street letter boxes, thereby reducing access to the public. Now they are ramming through the two bundle delivery method for letter carriers in spite of the many problems and trying to reduce the number clerks on the new mail processing equipment in spite of safety concerns. CPC needs to be reminded that postal workers are the reason for 15 years of profits.
Canada Post issued more Article 29.03 technological change notices affecting LCD 1 and Hamilton West, as well as Transportation. In a complete reversal from what the Union was being told in the summer, the employer is now saying the sequencing of letter mail and the two bundle carry system will be coming to Hamilton in 2011. The Local consulted with Canada Post on December 6, 2010, and received some answers to a list of questions asked by the Union which will be distributed to Shop Stewards. The Local was also part of a National teleconference on December 9, 2010, and was told by Canada Post they are going ahead with their proposed changes in spite of the problems in Winnipeg and the numerous problems we identified in Hamilton, i.e. Edit Book, A-62's, 3outstanding restructure grievances in LCD 1 and Transportation.
The Local raised the issue of the notice in the information books telling letter carriers that the Union had lost the Cease & Desist grievance in Winnipeg with Management at the December consultation. In spite of what Canada Post it telling our members, the National Cease and Desist Grievance National Grievance, N00-7-00032, on Winnipeg is not over, and has been referred to arbitration. Many members have heard about the letter carrier walk out in Winnipeg. Again, in spite of what some supervisors are saying, it did occur. Our National President, Denis Lemelin, went to Winnipeg and met with the membership to hear what was going on with Postal Transformation. Brother Lemelin has brought back the issues in Winnipeg to the bargaining table. CUPW National is asking Canada Post to make Winnipeg the test site for Postal Transformation and to hold off implementation for the rest of the country.
Inside workers at the Hamilton Mail Processing Plant (HMPP) were shocked to read in the employer's Contact magazine Fall Edition the article, “New Technology gets thumbs up”. In the article, the employer quotes some employees from the Hamilton Mail Processing Plant commenting on the new mail processing machines with rose coloured glasses. Nothing is mentioned about the many problems. The Local raised the issue with management at the December consultation. With ongoing work refusals, lack of fatigue matting, rotation of duties grievances, and chronic overtime, the truth of the new technology is less than rosy.
The membership passed a motion at the November 2010 membership meeting to support the United Steelworkers Local 1005 strike fund. A number of Local Executive officers visited the 1005 picket lines on Burlington Street in Hamilton and presented the cheque for $500.00 on behalf of postals workers. Steelworkers have been locked out for over a month. Their issues are similar to our own and they are facing a hostile employer trying to impose a two tier pay rate and pension benefit for new hires, similar to what Canada Post is demanding from us.
The contract for Urban Operations expires on January 31, 2011. If Canada Post does not back down on the many concessions they are asking for, a strike may be unavoidable. The RSMC contract is currently before an arbitrator and the Union will be keeping the members informed on the outcome. Please show support for our RSMC sisters and brothers. If Winnipeg is any indication of what is to come, postal workers are in for the fight of their lives in 2011. Please take time over the holidays to rest and recharge for the fight ahead. Postal Workers have proven in the past they are up to the challenge. On behalf of the Local Executive, have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year.
In solidarity,
Mark Platt
President