Members of the CUPW
Vancouver Local:
These are challenging times for postal workers. There is much change ahead of us, and it is difficult to know at this time how these changes will impact upon us. The “Modern Post” became a reality on April 12, 2010, when postal transformation commenced in Winnipeg. Postal transformation will continue to roll out across Canada over the next 5 years. During this time, we can anticipate the elimination of jobs, as workers are replaced with machinery that is designed to increase “efficiency” and facilitate “improved customer service”.
Letter Carriers can anticipate a decrease of approximately 60 minutes spent working inside the depot, and an equivalent increase in their outside time. Roughly 85% of letter carrier routes will be motorized, and start times will be staggered in what Canada Post is calling “waves”. Some letter carriers might work from 7am – 3pm; others, 10am – 6pm. Our work practices will drastically change, and although Canada Post tells us that our safety is a priority, and that health and safety “experts” are involved in all aspects of postal transformation, there is reason to question the sincerity of their claims.
On the CUPW Local Health and Safety Committee we hear stories from our members of what is taking place in the plants and letter carrier depots throughout Vancouver. Based on the information we receive, Canada Post is not always living up to their commitment to our health and safety. In this newsletter, and in others to follow, we hope to share information related to health and safety that might be helpful to you if you find yourself in a situation that your colleagues in other work locations have dealt with, or are also currently dealing with.
Manulife
The Union has been very busy dealing with issues pertaining to Manulife. People are feeling harassed, and fearful about the security of their medical privacy.
Manulife has been known to send people to their doctors repeatedly, demanding as much medical information as possible, and when that is not enough, forcing people to attend an Independent Medical Examination (IME) performed by someone (not necessarily a doctor) of Manulife’s choosing.
Canada Post may threaten you with discipline if you do not comply with their demands; however, we have rights in this instance, and it is highly advisable that you speak to your shop steward or contact the union hall if you are being told that you must attend either a Functional Capacity Examination (FCE), or an Independent Medical Examination.
You are not required to discuss your medical information with a Manulife representative over the telephone without union representation. You can request that all correspondence between yourself and Manulife be done in writing.
If you have taken sick leave of more than 5 days, it must be certified by a doctor. If Manulife refuses to accept the validity of your medical information and does not support your access to sick leave, it is recommended that you file a grievance.
The union is making every effort to provide members with as much information as possible with regard to their rights when dealing with Manulife. Please stay informed; read the information, familiarize yourself with Article 33 of the Collective Agreement, which deals with health and safety, and when in doubt, talk to a CUPW representative on your workplace health and safety committee, a shop steward, or an officer at the union hall.
Accident/Incident
Investigations
We frequently hear complaints from members that Canada Post is not following proper protocol when it comes to accident investigations.
According to Canada Post’s own Corporate Manual System (CMS) accident investigations should begin “at the accident/incident site no later than 24 hours following notification by employee”. A member of the workplace health and safety committee should participate in all investigations, and the employee should be involved in the investigation along with his/her shop steward or other CUPW representative.
Canada Post does not always see fit to adhere to their own guidelines around accident investigations, as set out by the CMS. We must hold Canada Post accountable. If an accident or incident is not investigated and its cause not identified and addressed in a timely manner, it puts others at risk.
In addition, when an injured worker files a claim with WCB, an accident investigations that is properly done and well-documented can be integral to the worker’s claim. Injured workers should not have to suffer further because of Canada Post’s negligence when it comes to accident/incident investigations.
If you have been injured at work and you do not feel that Canada Post is adhering to the proper protocol with regards to the investigation of your accident or incident, please speak to a CUPW representative on your workplace health and safety committee, or contact the union hall.
WCB
It has been our observation ion the Vancouver Local that Canada Post frequently delays in submitting the necessary accident/compensation documentation that is required in order to begin a WCB claim. An account was heard recently of a Canada Post supervisor and a Canada Post health and safety officer who, together, made the decision that an injury that was reported as a workplace injury was not in fact a workplace injury, and therefore did not submit any paperwork at all, and did not inform the worker of this. We can not assume that this was an isolated incident. This is unacceptable, and certainly calls into question Canada Post’s commitment to our health and safety.
If your WCB claim has been suspended because Canada Post has not fulfilled their reporting requirements, you have rights. CUPW members can speak to a union representative or contact Human Resources and Skills Development Canada if you feel that Canada Post is not fulfilling its obligations with regard to the reporting or your workplace injury.
To add insult to injury, Canada Post frequently disputes our WCB claims, and in some cases, assigns blame to the injured worker rather than considering the many varying circumstances that can lead to an injury on the job. If your WCB claim has been denied, we can help. The Vancouver Local has advocates who can assist CUPW members in appealing WCB decisions. Please contact the union if you need help appealing your claim, or if you require assistance of any kind in dealing with WCB.
Hazard Reports
It has come to our attention that in several different locations, hazard reports are not being made available to workers upon request. Canada Post tells us that they prioritize our health and safety, yet they are not facilitating the reporting of potential hazards that, if brought to management’s attention and addressed promptly and effectively, could reduce or eliminate the potential for injury.
It is difficult to understand Canada Post’s apparent reluctance to make these forms readily available to everyone; however, we can not let this stop us from reporting potential hazards. If you have a safety concern, inform your supervisor, a CUPW representative on your workplace health and safety committee, or a shop steward, as soon as possible.
It is helpful to take note of details when reporting safety concerns to management, such as dates, times and other specifics. If you do not feel that your concern has been adequately addressed by your supervisor, speak to a CUPW representative on your workplace health and safety committee about bringing the issue up at a health and safety committee meeting, and escalating the concern to the next level if it can not be resolved by the committee. It may be necessary to file a grievance in an attempt to resolve the issue, in which case it is important that you document all information as best you can to increase the likelihood that your grievance will be successful.
If you are confronted with a serious health and safety issue and you feel that your health, safety or physical well being is endangered, always remember that you have the right to refuse, under Article 33.13 of the Collective Agreement.
Your union is here to help you with any of these issues. Shop stewards are available on the work floor to answer questions and provide any necessary assistance, as are the full-time officers at the union hall.
Take care and be safe.
In Solidarity,
Wendy Lund
Health & Safety Director
CUPW Vancouver
[email protected]
contact information:
Human Resources and Skills
Development Canada – Labour
Jeannie Suric,
Supervisor
Injury Compensation
604-872-4398 ext. 676
general health and safety
inquiries
1-800-641-4049
db/CUPE-3338