CUPW Vancouver

Recently our membership has been subjected to an onslaught of discipline regarding plant safety rules.

We all are concerned about our health and safety and strive every day to work in a way that is sustainable and not detrimental to our safety. However, when we see the Corporation disregarding our rotation of duties on a daily basis, when Canada Post constantly operates without a full compliment of employees thereby overburdening people, when we see daily demands being placed on our bodies that will lead to injury, we obviously will feel that the Corporation does not truly care about our health and safety.

• We want to work in an environment that fits what the stated goals of Canada Post are, a workplace that shows respect for our health, safety and physical well-being.
• We want to work on a work floor where we respect each other as colleagues and treat each other as we would like to be treated.
• We want to be involved in processes that build on these shared values and stated goals. What we don’t want is to be harassed and bullied into doing things that we feel are damaging to our health and safety.
• We do not want to be treated without due respect and understanding of our struggles.
• We do not want to be subjected to unnecessary discipline with the subsequent loss of income as well as loss of working people on the floor which in turn will lead to more overburdening.
• We want to work without fear of being singled out for discipline when others are respectfully coached.
• We want to work where no one is above the law, where everyone is treated equally. To this end we are encouraging all of our membership to make sure to follow the words of the Canada Post Code of Conduct regarding supervisors, superintendents, managers and directors breaching plant safety rules.

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At a time of global conflict, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers is united in our commitment to the principles of peace, solidarity, and justice. It is our collective duty to address the issues affecting our world today, and in doing so, promote a better, brighter future.

Our constitution speaks to our support for the rights of the Palestinian people and our pursuit of peace. The Israel/Palestine conflict continues to cause suffering to innocent people on both sides, especially children. As supporters of justice, we call for an immediate cease-fire, recognizing it as the first step toward achieving the peace that all people deserve. We ask all sides to ensure the safety and well-being of those living in this conflict-torn region and engage in talks for a peaceful resolution.

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In the recent weeks we all have read and heard about the tensions between Canada and India. Due to the current diplomatic strains between the countries at present, the Indian government has halted visa processing for Canadian nationals in response to escalating tensions between the two countries.  This crisis literally hits home for our members who have immigrated from India, especially those who still have their friends and families back home.

At present the situation is unsafe to say the least. We would like to remind members to think seriously if any plans to visit their loved ones for now until the situation gets better.

In case you need to visit your family in any emergency, remember to take the health emergency phone numbers with you. Since our extended health plan specifically excludes riots and acts of insurrection however it is defined, postal workers who go to India will need to be careful and vigilant if they choose to travel to India at this time.

I will also recommend to get an additional insurance even though our extended plan for postal workers travelling out of province (40 days or less) which covers insured postal workers, spouses and dependents up to a maximum of $250,000 (two hundred fifty thousand) per person. Also, before you travel, I will recommend to find out detailed information on which insurance that will cover first in case needed.

If you need more information please contact your Local President at [email protected] or call (604) 685-6581 Extension 2.

In Solidarity,

Anju Parmar, President                                                 lb/CUPE-3338

WHEN: November 25^th to December 1^st,2023

WHERE: Gimli, Manitoba

Lakeview Gimli Resort

10 Centre Street R0C 1B0

COURSE: Turtle Island 

The Turtle Island course aims to build meaningful, long-term relationships with and among Indigenous peoples inside and outside our workplaces. The course identifies key moments in indigenous peoples’ history in Canada, connects these historical events to the current context, and debunks myths and stereotypes. It concludes with participants identifying ways to act as effective and respectful allies to Indigenous peoples in their struggle for decolonization. This opportunity will also contain a continued emphasis on becoming a facilitator on this material. It should also be noted that ONLY those who identify as Indigenous will be asked to facilitate the Turtle Island course. Please note that this educational opportunity has been requested by the previous National Human Rights Committee and passed by the outgoing National Executive Board. The intention is to primarily provide this course to those who identify as Indigenous with the hope of building participants up to one day facilitate this life changing course to all CUPW workers. With this is mind, we are strongly encouraging those who identify as Indigenous to apply. Should we not be able to fill the class with those who identify as Indigenous, we will fill it with other applicants – so all are encouraged to apply. This education program falls under Article 11.06 of the National Constitution and expenses for delegates are paid under Article 7.42, which include meals, transportation and accommodation. Reimbursement for childcare expenses is also available. The Union encourages all members to access this right of membership and learn how to make your own working life and that of your co-workers better.

Please mail your applications to :109-4238 Lozells Ave Burnaby, V5A0C4

Or You can fax at (604) 685-4931

NOTE: Application will not be accepted via emails.

For more information, please contact your President at (604) 685-6581 ext 2.

 Deadline to receive the application is October 12^th at noon.

In Solidarity,

Anju Parmar, President

Click here for Course application

Our Contract has about 4 more months to go. While CUPW is hoping to negotiate a new one before that, there are never any guarantees. Members should be looking at their savings and alternate sources of income in preparation for the possibility of a strike in early 2024.

There are some other things that can be done to help ensure that we get a decent Collective Agreement before the deadline:

Let the management know that you want this round settled with good contract which is negotiated in a good faith. Let them know you are demanding better wages and working conditions. Let them know you’re willing to strike if needed to achieve those demands!

Take an interest in the progress of negotiations. Come to meetings and stay informed. Remember if management knows that our membership is involved and ready, they have an incentive to not play games at the negotiating table that they have tried in the past.

The Vancouver Local will hold demand ratification meetings from October 25^th to November 1^st.

On another note I would also like to inform our members that in early August Vancouver local has launched the BUILDING WORKER POWER campaign. Sister Ellen Bowles, our regional coordinator, is has been meeting members in our local for almost 2 months now, having visited every delivery depot in the local. In coming weeks, we will be starting face to face conversations with Group 1, 3 and 4 at PPC and PIF.

TOGETHER WE CAN UNITE, STAND UP, FIGHT BACK AND WIN!!

In Solidarity,

Anju Parmar, President