Members of the CUPW Vancouver Local:
Contract negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers began on November 10, 2010. CUPW will update you on the status of the negotiations as information becomes available.
As news of the implementation of the Modern Post in Winnipeg quickly spreads to CUPW members across the country, thanks to the blog, “The Workers Struggle With the Modern Post,”
http://theworkersstrugglewiththemodernpost.blogspot.com/
we begin to understand why Canada Post has a vested interest in forcing a contract upon us that allows them to easily implement their model of Postal Transformation, which maximizes the potential for profit while blatantly ignoring the physical and emotional health, safety, and well-being of its employees.
This bulletin is dedicated to our Brothers and Sisters in Winnipeg, who are suffering as Canada Post pushes through their vision of Postal Transformation on their work floors, in spite of the rising toll in injuries and the impact that the extreme physical and mental stress is having upon workers. What you will read below are their words. When the time comes for us to decide upon our collective future during these negotiations, consider whether this is a future you would want for yourself, or for anyone else.
The physical affects of this new delivery model are already bothering me. My shoulder, upper back and lower back are sore from the two bundle systems. Fridays traffic left me with a sore jaw, neck and forearms from gripping the steering wheel so tight. This is not the job I applied for. I now have to find a new job because I believe I can no longer do this job the way they have changed it both physically and emotionally.
I have heard of carriers being out on the street for 12 hours or more. Yesterday a 30 yr veteran carrier worked from 10am to 10pm on his own route. He has been the carrier in this area for over 20 years. He has had this new route now for over a month.
Carriers are coming to work crying, leaving crying, walking out angry and stressed to the max.
On Route overtime has skyrocketed. This is causing severe stress for people’s family lives. not knowing when you will be getting home when you have young children or other commitments is stressing families out.
As of today we now have 5 iods and 1 for sure maybe 2 off on stress leave and 1 who bid out already in Depot J. The ‘rehab’ walk has just about finished off the carrier on it.
They are making us perform unsafe work on a daily basis.
I think a suspension would be welcomed by some of these carriers just to get off these ridiculous routes for a couple days to allow their bodies to recover!
As an internal worker of 22 plus years I can tell you that this type of unsafe work practices have been going on with our lack of staffing on our shifts with no replacements as the Letter Carriers have to replace them when needed.
In depot J they were down 7 walks out of 14 today because of injuries.
These walks are killing people.
People are being injured DAILY. Peoples families are starting to break down. The stress is unbelievable! You can feel the frustration the minute you walk in the door.
Once I finally arrived home, after crying, no, sobbing all the way home I walked in the house and into my walk in closet, shut the door and sat down with my back against the door and sobbed for a good hour and a bit. My husband and daughter were now also pulled into my misery.
You clutch this bundle to your chest to ensure nothing slips out, blows away, or the whole bundle to fall on the ground. This clutching tenses your whole left side of your body causing pain in a carrier’s neck/shoulder/ and back( especially right between your shoulder blades). Now imagine having to do this for 4 to 5 hours a day.
Your right arm quickly gets sore as well from the repetitive motion of digging in your bag at every call.
The 2 bundles also hinders your sight as to where your feet are stepping. This wouldn’t be so huge if we were not told that we are to be collating the mail for the next call WHILE WE ARE WALKING.
Why do I care about giving everything I have at work if the only reward is forced overtime , bad health and no respect.
One carrier broke down crying today and told the Manager that she hates her job now. Her mail was weighed and she had park and loop pieces in excess of 50 pounds! THIS IS THE NORM NOW!
There have been five WCB claims in the last 2 weeks in our office. When is enough, enough?? Only Canada Post would promote and implement a system that is inefficient and dangerous. The 2 bundle system has to go!
I fear for my brothers and sisters of the work floor and their health and safety. How many injuries will make the employer rethink this ridiculous multi-bundle system.
The physical and mental strain of the new delivery model has greatly affected my life. I cry every day at work. My start time was changed to 10am and most nights I’m not getting home until after 6:30 or 7:00.
I too have that oh so common sharp pain in my back from using the multiple bundle method, as do most of the other carriers I talk too.
I also sit here and fear my return to work because they won’t listen to our safety concerns, continue to force us to perform unsafe work and just plain don’t care. Somehow this needs to be stopped, before it spreads further across our city and then the rest of the country and most importantly before any more of us are injured ( or re-injured).
We are going to make a petition stating that we object to Canada Post ignoring the Health and Safety of their employees and will invoke the right to refuse if this unsafe 2 bundle system is not eliminated.
Since I have been on modified duties (I am working in the depot for my entire shift) I have noticed many things, supervisors delivering routes, performing LCA duties, managers sorting packets…. But what breaks my heart the most is seeing the stress and emotions of my fellow co-workers. People I have worked with for years just breaking down crying. This has got to stop… and very soon!
This job has stolen my life from me.
We as workers need to stand up for what is right, we should not dread going to work or fear injury while we are there.
Strength in Unity.
Wendy Lund
Health and Safety Director
CUPW Vancouver