Modern Post Update
The first national consultation with Canada Post since they issued the notices regarding Vancouver’s postal transformation (PT) was held on April 18th. There will be a series of national and local consultations scheduled with Canada Post management over the coming months to work on our concerns over the PT roll-out that will be starting to come online in February/March 2014.A number of questions were put to the Corporation that they have indicated will be responded to in the future. They have stated that they do not possess key information yet, such as which depots will be moving into the two new buildings they purchased recently. Some of the details that were provided and concerns that we have raised are listed below.
- Canada Post will be consolidating its western Video Encoding System (VES) coding operations into the new Pacific Processing Centre (PPC). This will be implemented on a staggered basis beginning in February 2014. The PPC will have 55 VES desks that will be used to code for Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg.
- Technical Services training schedules are still not complete but will be provided when they are. CUPW objected to the adverse effect that was created by Management’s changes to this year’s annual leave bidding process. Management rationalized the changes by claiming they needed flexibility to schedule training on the new equipment going into the PPC. It is our position that this is a violation of the Collective Agreement. A grievance has been filed on this issue.
- The issue of unsafe Air can handling was raised. Canada Post has plans for a new system at the PPC that they say they are confident will address our health & safety concerns. They will be providing specific details at a later date.
- Canada Post stated again that it was their intention to use natural attrition to achieve their goal of staffing reductions. They are not however ruling out the possibility that the job security provisions outlined in Article 53 may be invoked. They have agreed to provide us with the attrition forecasts that they are basing their plans on.
- We noted our objections to not only the extreme reduction of positions but also to the new staffing alignment for the PPC where 17% of dayshift positions will move to evenings and graveyard. There will be further discussions on this issue.
- We informed management that their plan to create part-time PO5 positions is a violation of the Collective Agreement as this classification does not exist in the language.
- As there is currently no transit service to the PPC, Canada Post advised us in May 2012 that there would be a shuttle service provided from the Templeton skytrain station to the PPC. We asked at that time that this service be CUPW bargaining unit work as this could provide appropriate accommodations for some of our members. Management has now indicated that they will instead be contracting for the service through the airport authority.
- Management was unable to tell us at this point what their timelines are for a number of important events that are of concern to our members. The sale of the VMPP building at 349 W. Georgia begs the question: where will the 3rd floor letter carrier depots, main retail and boxes be located? The corporation previously announced that they had acquired new buildings in Vancouver and North Vancouver, but they have not yet disclosed what they will be used for. They stated that they would provide us with official notices regarding the delivery side (both Letter Carrier and MSC) in either November or December this year. We have asked that they provide an overview of their transition plan prior to then so that our members can be aware of what is coming and be in a better position to prepare themselves for the coming changes.
- There is no word yet on Canada Post’s plans for the Glen Drive garage. They have had many ambitious ideas of expansion and perhaps relocating the facility. We encouraged them to look at this as it could result in additional work for our membership.
- We made the point that given the anticipated reductions in MSC work that the Corporation should look at contracting in highway services work that is currently performed by private contractors.
- We addressed the issue of rumours being spread by management on the work floor. Senior Canada Post management have assured us that the local management individuals who were speaking out of turn have now been properly coached.
- We have raised the issue of local management having imposed a transfer list freeze into the Vancouver Delivery Post Office since at least November 1, 2012. They did not consult with any level of the Union on this violation of the Collective Agreement. This action has created a situation where the staffing of vacant assignments in the Local are also violations. This may not at first glance appear to be part of the modern post changes but we believe it is in fact a part of their overall strategy to manage the staffing reductions occasioned by these technological changes. It is highly disrespectful to our membership to make changes such as this under the cover of darkness. Grievances are being filed.
The full-time officers are presently in Toronto where we have been participating in the National Presidents meeting on the new Collective Agreement and planning for the future. Several of us will be staying an additional day in order to see first-hand some of the PT initiatives that have already been introduced in the Toronto region. The Local’s Modern Post Committee will also be sending a delegation to Winnipeg in early May to meet with their union representatives and view the Winnipeg plant and PT Letter Carrier/MSC operations. The Toronto and Winnipeg Locals and their respective Regions have been very helpful and gracious with sharing their experiences and making the arrangements for our visits. Thank you!
We are the last major centre in the country to undergo the Corporation’s PT initiative. The changes that come with this modern post have proven to be very difficult for many. We are going to have stand together and support one another to ensure that all of our members are treated fairly and with respect by this employer.
Please forward any concerns or questions that you have to the Modern Post committee. Messages can be left for the committee with our staff at the Union Hall or via email at [email protected].
In Solidarity,
Chris Zukowsky
Education Director
for Kim Evans
President