Category: Publications

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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”

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PIGHEADED DISCHARGE OVERTURNED AT ARBITRATION!

On July 29, 2011, Arbitrator Joan Gordon overturned an indefinite suspension and subsequent discharge that was imposed on Kay Matheson on the grounds of her refusal to attend an Independent Medical Examination (IME) by a physician of Manulife’s choosing. Matheson, a long-term Shop Steward and Depot 74 Letter Carrier, was indefinitely suspended on April 29, 2010 and later discharged on August 6, 2010. Her discharge came as the culmination of a series of threatening letters from numerous members of Canada Post’s management team operating under the leadership of Marie Robinson, Director of Operations. Continue reading “PIGHEADED DISCHARGE OVERTURNED AT ARBITRATION!”

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Targeted ‘Hit’ Exposed at Arbitration!

A targeted “hit” on a Vancouver Letter Carrier has been overturned at arbitration. On February 19, 2010, Aaron Spires, Letter Carrier and CUPW Shop Steward, was discharged by Canada Post on the basis of allegations that he had fraudulently claimed one hour of overtime and several hours of sick leave to which he was not entitled. Those incidents allegedly took place on February 9 & 11, 2010. According to former Sea-to-Sky Manager Steven Sapinsky (son-in-law of former Canada Post manager Al Miller), Spires had displayed a “pattern” of claiming payment to which he was not entitled.

 

In his February 19, 2010 letter of discharge, Sapinsky claimed that Spires had not been targeted. In reality, Sapinsky had placed Spires’ name on a “hit list” shortly after Spires was assigned to the Capilano Delivery Center (CDC) in late December of 2009. Spires’ name was placed on the hit list because he had incurred overtime on several occasions while covering two of CDC’s least desirable routes. Sapinsky’s hit list was circulated amongst supervisory staff at the CDC and Spires immediately became a “person of interest”. Despite a discipline-free work history, Spires was discharged six weeks after being targeted.

Continue reading “Targeted ‘Hit’ Exposed at Arbitration!”

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Health & Safety July 2011

In Memory of Sandra Nichols

 

Members of the CUPW Vancouver Local:

The Union was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Sister Sandra Nichols on July 23.  Sister Nichols’ passing was tragic in so many ways, and especially painful as it was as the result of a workplace accident that took place at the Vancouver Mail Processing Plant weeks earlier, on July 4.

Continue reading “Health & Safety July 2011”