As you are aware, Canada Post implemented changes to the terms and conditions of our employment on October 22, 2018 when it announced that it would be reverting to the statutory minimum conditions established under the Canada Labour Code. This decision by the Corporation to stop honoring the terms and conditions of our Collective Agreement has revealed its true colours. This decision has made it very clear that it places little value on the hard work that each and every one of you performs on a daily basis to make Canada Post the successful public service that it is, and shows a complete lack of respect for the postal workers that make Canada Post’s profits on their shoulders, backs, arms, and legs –literally! Shame on you Canada Post, we deserve better.
Consequently, the Union has recently filed National Grievance N00-16-00008 concerning Canada Post changing the terms and conditions of our employment when the Union began legal job action on October 22, 2018.
The Vancouver Local has also submitted local grievances on behalf of all affected members concerning the changes to our working conditions. Grievances have been submitted concerning the following issues:
- Canada Post failing to properly compensate employees for various premiums and/or allowances (including but not limited to shift and weekend premiums, rest period allowances, boot and glove allowance,etc)
- Canada Post failing to properly compensate employees for overtime worked effective October 22, 2018
- Canada Post improperly reducing employee’s vacation leave entitlements
- Canada Post improperly refusing to grant various forms of paid leave (including but not limited to personal leave, bereavement leave, special leave, compensatory leave, night workers leave, etc)
- Canada Post improperly reducing employee’s personal day entitlements
- Canada Post improperly cancelling all STDP payment and/or benefits
- Canada Post failing to allow employees to accumulate night workers leave
- Canada Post improperly recovering or clawing back payment that employees have received for vacation leave and/or personal days that were previously used earlier in the leave year
- Canada Post improperly denying access to injury on duty leave and/or payment
- Canada Post failing to properly compensate employees for the Remembrance Day designated paid holiday
- Canada Post improperly cancelling all annual leave for all employees and requiring that pre-bid annual leave be taken as leave without pay
Specialized grievance investigation forms have been created for each of the specific issues that have been grieved. These forms can be obtained from a shop steward. Shop stewards can also assist you in completing the forms and obtaining any necessary documentation that is in possession of the Corporation.
If any of the issues have impacted you, you must complete the corresponding grievance investigation form, attach the necessary supporting documents that are specified on each of the forms, and submit it to the Union hall. If you do not complete and submit the appropriate form with the necessary documentation, it will be very difficult for the Union to pursue these grievances on your behalf.
If you have been impacted by the Corporation’s decision to change the terms and conditions of employment in a way other than one of those listed above, please see a shop steward as soon as possible and submit a grievance investigation form regarding the issue that you have experienced.
The struggle continues!
In solidarity,
Erin Collins
Grievance Officer
On July 22, 2013, a Kelowna temporary employee was reinstated to her employment as a result of an arbitration ruling by Arbitrator Stan Lanyon. Despite her reinstatement, the Grievor’s phone remained silent and she did not receive any offers of work until October. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the Canada Post management team had inexplicably changed the Grievor’s seniority date to reflect the date of her reinstatement. At the time of her discharge, the Grievor’s seniority date corresponded with her original hiring date of March 8, 2010. As a result of Canada Post’s actions, the Grievor was repeatedly bypassed for a series of work assignments.
“I want to focus first on the area of accommodating disabilities, because the burdensome consequences of these laws