May 22, 2019 Bulletin # 078
On April 29, 2019 Arbitrator Elizabeth McPherson wrote to the Minister of Labour Patti Hajdu, requesting an extension of her appointment until December 31, 2019.
ARBITRATION UPDATE
April 4, 2019
Bulletin # 074
ARBITRATION DAY 8
Testimony
Day 8 of the arbitration started with the cross examination of letter carrier and negotiating committee member, Stephen Gale.
The next witness was Roland Dandy, a letter carrier from Hamilton, ON. Roland testified about having to work overtime on his route almost every day. He attributed this to heavy volumes of parcels and the preparation and delivery of neighbourhood mail. There will be testimony from two experts on one bundle delivery and percentage of coverage.
Roland was followed by Director of Research and member of the negotiating committee, Geoff Bickerton who testified on the history of the RSMC organizing, the first collective agreement and the three reopeners.
Timelines
On April 10 and 23 the arbitration will continue with some of the RSMC issues.
We estimate that it will take at least 10 more hearing days to present all the Union’s evidence on the matters in dispute. This does not take into account the Corporation’s cross examination of our witnesses.
After that, Canada Post will present its evidence and then there will be final arguments. Minister Hajdu granted Arbitrator MacPherson’s first request to extend her appointment.
Your Actions Are Needed
We need to send messages to Canada Post’s new President and CEO Doug Ettinger to get him to tell his negotiator’s to get back to the table and negotiate. Send letters, make phone calls, send emails and be heard.
Canada Post – There is Still Time to Negotiate!
LATEST ARBITRATION NEWS
March 22, 2019
Bulletin # 073
DAY 7
On March 19, the day started out with a visit to the Kanata Depot with Arbitrator MacPherson. The purpose of the visit was to show not only the work environment of Letter Carriers, RSMC’s and PO4’s, but to also to allow the Arbitrator to see an actual facility with all the mail products and how it is processed for delivery.
Tuesday’s Testimony
After the visit to the Kanata depot, the hearing continued with the testimony of Sharon Mackey, a PO4 (postal clerk) from St. John’s, NF. Sharon told her story about giving up her letter carrier job, which she loved, to take a PO4 position, working night shift, in the St. John’s mail processing plant so to avoid being harassed for not completing her route within 8 hours.
In the afternoon, Stephen Gale (letter carrier and member of the negotiating committee) testified to the Union demands for solutions to the Health and Safety issues overburdening has caused to letter carriers.
What’s Next
The next hearing date is on April 2 and the day will begin with the Corporation’s cross-examination of Stephen Gale. After that we present evidence from Brother Roland Dandy, a Hamilton, ON letter carrier, about forced overtime on his route.
Also on April 2, we will begin our evidence on RSMC compensation, pay for all hours worked (including overtime), route restructures, workload and coverage of all absences. We still have many issues to present and we will continue to prepare evidence and witnesses for the upcoming dates.
Send CPC A Message – NEGOTIATE NOW!
National President Mike Palecek at North Fraser Delivery Depot
National President Mike Palecek was in Vancouver Monday. He stopped by the North Fraser Delivery Depot to talk to the members about SSD.
2019 Annual Election Results
President – Chris Zukowsky
2nd Vice President – Nick Aubichon
#1 shift Chief Shop Steward – There will be a “run-off” election as per 9.6 H of the Local’s By-laws as no candidate secured 1/2 of the ballots cast. More information to follow.
The bulletin and the results of the shop steward elections will be posted later in the week.
Thank you to everyone that put their name forward and congratulations to those elected.
We would also like to thank the members of the balloting committee for all the work you have done and to the volunteers that assisted with the count last night.
In Solidarity,
Jennifer Savage
President
CUPW Vancouver
COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION – Rally December 1, 2018 at noon.
After almost a year of negotiations, over 5 weeks of rotating strikes and the adoption of an unconstitutional law suspending negotiations there were some who thought the fight was over. WRONG! The ground has shifted, there is an updated playbook and there are some new players on the field.
This past week, supporters of free collective bargaining have been raising their voices in support of postal workers and decent working conditions. In Vancouver, Hamilton, Windsor, Whitehorse, Halifax and Edmonton protests have erupted at or near postal facilities. Voices have been raised and the message clearly heard that the government cannot sweep their latest attack on the rights of workers under the rug. Continue reading “COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION – Rally December 1, 2018 at noon.”
Labour to rally in support of postal workers Thursday at noon in Vancouver
November 28, 2018 | News Release
The BC Federation of Labour is organizing a rally Thursday at noon in downtown Vancouver in support of Canada Post workers whose collective bargaining rights are under attack by the Trudeau Liberal government.
Outgoing BCFED President Irene Lanzinger will be among the speakers.
What: Rally in support of postal workers and free collective bargaining
When: Thursday, November 29, noon
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre East Plaza