Posted on by CUPW Vancouver

CPC – Planning for Gridlock

CPC – Planning for Gridlock

With the Olympics almost upon us, management requested a meeting with the Union last week to provide preliminary information relating to the impact on our members in the Vancouver Local.

A reasonable person might wonder:  “Aren’t the Olympics just a couple of weeks away, why isn’t this all mapped out already?”  In spite of our repeated requests for information the very first meeting that management agreed to discuss the Olympics was held at the  Regional level on December 4, 2009.  Only very basic information was provided to the Union at this meeting – in fact most of it had been posted on the VANOC website for all to see for months.  Very little information was provided with regards to specific plans.  In a follow up letter on December 31, 2009 to CPC, we did have a number of our questions answered but still there were no specifics provided with respect to additional staffing requirements or possible changes to schedules.

The discussion at the Local consultation last week centered primarily on the Depot 74 and Hub operations.  More detailed discussions with respect to staffing plans and the broader impact to other areas of the Local including the overall transportation network will be held this week.

The information provided by management so far has been fairly limited in scope.  They have indicated that they would like to use “swampers” to assist drivers on schedules where street and venue restrictions would prohibit stopping.  They have neither put forward a plan for staffing these positions, nor have we agreed to the use of “swampers”.

We have every reason to believe that there is a high likelihood that there will be significant changes to the work patterns of our members during the Olympic period.  There isn’t sufficient space to list all of the questions and concerns we have raised with management here but these are some of the highlights:

  • Proper consideration of, and planning for, transportation and parking issues for our members – both at work, as well as to and from work.  The answer provided was that Supervisors will speak to all affected employees and provide full details in floor meetings.  For the most part this does not appear to be occurring.
  • We demanded that proper staffing levels be achieved, i.e. fill the vacancies and absences that have not been covered.  Call in temporary employees instead of forcing our members to work overtime when there aren’t enough volunteers.  The answer we received was non-specific; only that they would “ramp-up staffing”.
  • We have asked for contingency plans for probable delays to taxi service at Letter Carrier Depots.  There are estimates that up to 250,000 people could be coming to Vancouver for the Olympics; we suspect a few of them will want to call a cab.  The management response was that the cab companies do not anticipate any increase in demand during the Olympics.
  • Mail Service Couriers and Mobile Letter Carriers may be pressured to park illegally and take other additional risks in order to perform their duties due to the restrictions and closures in effect.  Management assured us that no one will be asked to do anything improper.
  • Plans need to be made and communicated to MSCs and MLCs with respect to RPO clearances and drops, SLB clearances, relay runs, shuttle runs and so on.  Management stated that they do not anticipate delays to most of these functions, but that supervisors would be providing specifics to all employees who may be affected.
  • We asked that dedicated cell phone numbers be provided so that MSCs and LCs can communicate problems to their supervisors.  This was agreed to by management.
  • Hub MSCs may have time removed or equalized.  A Union Observer is overseeing this exercise.  CPC does not intend to recycle parcels, they will make adjustments as required and will communicate with the affected MSCs and the Union.
  • Management claims that a route plan to and from the plant is being developed.  They stated that they would provide it to all affected employees when it is completed.
  • CPC does not expect the morning dispatches to LC Depots to be delayed as they depart early in the morning.

Our overall impression of this logistical exercise is that a great deal of the specific planning has been left to the last minute.  The key issue for us is that our member’s contractual rights and their health and safety are not compromised for any reason.  If any of you are experiencing difficulties or have concerns about the impact on your working environment please contact a shop steward on your work floor or call the Union Hall.

In Solidarity,

Kim Evans
1st Vice-President

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