Occupy Vancouver

Noon Saturday October 15 Vancouver Art Gallery

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers supports the growing numbers of those who are peacefully and creatively occupying Wall Street and elsewhere.

We join the call to end the plutocracy – the rule of the rich – and the stark inequality it creates. As workers and as people, we demand a better and fairer distribution of wealth in our society.

When 48,000 CUPW members went on a nation-wide rotating strike this June, we struck against austerity measures imposed on us by a highly paid CEO, appointed and supported by a neo-liberal government.

  • We went on strike because they want to cut the pensions of new hires.
  • We went on strike because they want to cut the wages of the next generation of workers.
  • We went on strike because they value profits more than they value the health and safety of our members.
  • We went on strike because they are attacking the public postal service that belongs to all of us.

Management then locked us out to give the government a pretext to enact punitive legislation forcing CUPW members back to work – legislation that blatantly gives the upper hand to the executives.

This is the plutocracy in action and we have to fight them everywhere. We stand with women, the poor, first nations people, pensioners, students, environmentalists and everyone who is prepared to struggle for justice. We will never stop fighting.

Your struggle is our struggle. We are part of the 99%.

In Solidarity,

Gayle Bossenberry
1st National Vice-President
Canadian Union of Postal Workers

Judge Osborne Decides On Procedure

Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Bulletin

Negotiations Bulletin no. 89

We have now received the ruling from Judge Osborne on the procedure to be followed by the parties as we proceed with the interest arbitration for the urban operations unit.

The Union and the Employer disagreed on the interpretation of Bill C-6 concerning the requirement of the parties to submit their lists of the issues agreed to during bargaining and the issues in dispute.

The union believes that the law requires the arbitrator to choose a date and then the parties submit their lists of what was agreed to and what was in dispute on that date. After the arbitrator determines the issues in dispute, the parties submit their final offer and the arbitrator must hear arguments and then select the final offer of either the union or the employer.

The employer took the position that only three minor issues had been agreed to and everything is in dispute. They argued that all three lists, including the final offer should be submitted at once.

The Union argued with CPC’s position that everything remains in dispute. It could result in the process taking a very long period of time as both parties entered the negotiations with dozens of issues, most of which would require lengthy argumentation and evidence.

Continue reading “Judge Osborne Decides On Procedure”

Urban Arbitration Continues

September 20, 2011  –  15:45

Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Bulletin

Negotiations Bulletin no. 87

After a short delay, due to the need for the Union to obtain new legal counsel, the final offer selection interest arbitration for the CUPW Urban Operations Bargaining Unit at Canada Post Corporation has commenced.

Following conference calls and a meeting with Judge Osborne the union has submitted a request to CPC for the information it will need to ensure that the components of its “final offer” are in accordance with the mandate of the arbitrator as established in the back – to – work legislation.

Continue reading “Urban Arbitration Continues”

Rick Irving for Representative of All Retired Members – Canada Post Pension Plan

Pension / Bulletin

2008-2011/465

The National Executive Board of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers has endorsed Brother Rick Irving to be the elected representative of all retired members of the Canada Post Pension Plan.

At a time when Canada Post wants new hires to be covered by a defined contribution pension plan, instead of the current defined benefit pension plan, we need a strong union voice to protect current and future retirees. Rick Irving is committed to ensuring that retirees have a voice in the administration of their pension plan, including its investments, how it communicates with its members, services them, and pension education issues.

As a retired person receiving a pension from Canada Post Pension Plan, you will soon be receiving a ballot to vote for your representative on the Pension Advisory Council (PAC).

Continue reading “Rick Irving for Representative of All Retired Members – Canada Post Pension Plan”

Dues, Dues, What’s Happening with my Dues?

August 25, 2011  –  12:00

Dues / Bulletin

2008-2011/468

Members covered by the Urban Operations collective agreement have noticed strange things happening with respect to dues deductions.  The problems began with the Corporation’s decision to not collect dues in June, arguing that the collective agreement was not in effect during the strike/lockout period.  This, coupled with subsequent decisions, has had a ripple effect which will be observed for months to come.

Continue reading “Dues, Dues, What’s Happening with my Dues?”

Jack Layton 1950 – 2011: A Letter to Canadians

Dear Friends,

Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.

Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue. Continue reading “Jack Layton 1950 – 2011: A Letter to Canadians”