Author: anju parmar

A new issue of the Postal Worker is right around the corner and we need YOU to contribute! The Publications Committee is putting out the call for member submissions for the fall 2026 issue of The Postal Worker, our Local’s quarterly publication.

Any member can submit and we’re looking for material that reflects issues, concerns, news, testimonials from the work floor. A new collective agreement Is now in place and things are moving quickly with our jobs as a result. CMB rollout looms on the north shore, VRTO implementation at several depots and a new home pick-up program are just a few of the curveballs thrown our way by the employer, with more coming.

All types of written and visual submissions will be considered. Long form essays, cartoons, artwork, poems, activist reports, photographs – we are looking for submissions of all shapes and sizes. If you have a creative idea for something to include please reach out.

Send all submissions to [email protected] for consideration. Even if you have the rough sketch of an idea, reach out to the editors and we will happily guide you through the process to get it to publication.

Please submit by October 21 2026 to be considered for the next issue. Publication is expected for the end of October.

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“Make It Safe, Make It Home.” It’s a catchy slogan. It looks good on posters and sounds even better in meetings.

But for members of CUPW Local 846, the question is becoming simple:

Is it actually happening on the work floor?

Members have seen growing concerns around health and safety, including the handling of workplace injuries, investigations and reporting.

The LJHSC has reportedly been left out of some investigations, documentation has been delayed, and concerns have been raised about the involvement of first aid in the process.

This month, during a health and safety meeting, members report that management expressed frustration over rising injuries and directed blame toward workers. Yet if injuries have increased alongside the implementation of a new work model, shouldn’t that model itself be examined?

Blaming workers is easy. Finding the hazard is the job.

There are also concerns that incident-reporting procedures are not always being followed and that required documentation may not be submitted within the appropriate timelines.

An injury doesn’t become less serious because the paperwork is late—or never completed.

And now comes another question: Why are sharps containers being removed from vehicles?

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As Canadians, one of the times when this is especially important to remember is Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30th, which is also Orange Shirt Day. We hear a lot of the Truth, but not so much about Reconciliation—the 94 calls to action that came from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, for example, are not something that every Canadian is intimately familiar with, and very few of those calls have been heard and turned into action items that have been followed through on.

We present here some suggestions for things to look into this month:

Places to donate:

– RAVEN trust https://raventrust.com/donate/

-Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society https://vafcs.org

– BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres notes the above and other friendship centres across BC, for those not residing -in Vancouver https://bcaafc.com

– Indian Residential School Survivor Society https://www.irsss.ca

Educational resources:

– Truth and Reconciliation Commission Canada https://nctr.ca/about/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-of-canada/

– Truth and Reconciliation Week Sept 21 to 25, free online talks https://trw-svr.nctr.ca

– The 94 calls to action https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf

– The Turtle Island course put on by our union—make sure you have at least one meeting in a twelve-month period and you can apply for it if the local puts it on. If it’s a regional course, there is no meeting requirement.

Books to read:

– The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer

– Crushed Wild Mint by Jess Housty

Activities:

– Check your local community Centre and library, they frequently host events for Truth and Reconciliation Day (amongst many other events throughout the year)

– Ethno-botany walks—there was a fantastic one done at Stanley Park during a Turtle Island course.

In a time where a lot of “never again”s are turning into “once more with feeling”s, let us strive to make progress rather than regressing. Let us walk the path of reconciliation, in ways that are genuine and real, and lift each other up. We are always stronger together.

In Solidarity,

 Organizing   Committee

 

Dates: October 17, 2026 (Saturday)                                                Time: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Vancouver Local Office, 109-4238 Lozells Ave, Burnaby, BC

This one-day course is designed for Vancouver Local members who want to strengthen their leadership and organizing skills. Participants will learn how to build confidence, solidarity and collective power to effectively address workplace issues and broader community challenges. The course encourages members to move beyond feelings of victimization and powerlessness by developing the knowledge, skills and strategies needed to organize and take collective action.

Members wishing to apply for this training course should: Visit https://www.cupwvancouver.org. Select Education → Courses → Local Course Application than Complete the Local Education Application Form

Please PRINT the application form legibly, clearly, and in full. A clearly printed email address so we can communicate with you. Incomplete or illegible applications will not be accepted.

Applications may be submitted by: Fax: (604) 685-4931, Dropped off in person, or Mail to CUPW Vancouver Local, 109 – 4238 Lozells Ave, Burnaby, BC V5A 0C4

Application Deadline: Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 12:00 noon

Applicants will receive an email notification: If selected, you will receive a confirmation email. If not selected, you will receive an email explaining why we were unable to place you in this course. If you do not receive an email, please check your junk/spam folder, or contact us for follow-up. For questions about the course, please email: [email protected]

In Solidarity,

Edward Wan

General Membership Meeting

 September 26^th, Saturday at 10am

  6083 McKay Avenue, Burnaby

    Tiffany Ball Room

   Agenda for the September GMM: 

1. Land Acknowledgment
2. Reading of Truth and Reconciliation: Calls to Action
3. Reading of Harassment Policy
4. Reading of new members
5. Dues waiver
6. Financials
7. Reading of the previous meeting’s minutes
8. Business arising out of the minutes
9. New Business (Motion Attached)
10. Nominations and elections:
    1. By- Election Secretary Treasurer
    2. MSC Route Measurement (4)
    3. LCRMS (4)
    4. By Laws Committee (3)
    5. Conflict Resolution members (2) alternates (2)
11. Executive Committee Motions
12. Unfinished business
13. Correspondence
14. Executive and Committee Reports
15. Good and Welfare
16. Adjournment 

***ASL Interpreters have been confirmed for this meeting***

In Solidarity,

Anju Parmar, President         

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  Dates: November 19 -22, 2026

   Location: Harrison Hot Springs

  Deadline to Apply: 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1^st, 2026                                      

Basic Steward Course Stewards are the backbone of the union. The aim of this course is to provide new stewards with knowledge and confidence. Topics include: the roles of the steward, how to investigate and file a grievance, communication skills, shop steward rights, the steward as organizer/mobilizer, and key provisions of the collective agreement. *Note this course is for new stewards

Mental Health in the Workplace This course will build awareness about the continuum of mental health in the workplace, explore the impact of different forms of stigma towards people living with mental health problems and discuss different support and accommodation measures. Participants will determine actions and strategies that can be taken to support psychological health and safety in the workplace.

Solidarity Skills – Confidence in Conflict This course is about building internal solidarity and peace within our union. It reflects a radical shift in CUPW’s approach to working with conflicts that arise between union leaders, activists, and members.

Lost Wages: Locals are responsible for covering the lost wages of participants for this

• Application Submission: All applications must be signed and submitted by the Local President or their
• Where to Submit: Signed and completed applications must be sent to the Local office: They can be submitted
  • By mail: CUPW Vancouver local, 109-4238 lozells Avenue Burnaby. V5A2H7
  • By fax: (604) 685-4931
• Deadline: The deadline for registration is 5:00 m. on Thursday, October 1st, 2026.
• Late Applications: Applications received after the deadline will not be considered, so please ensure they are submitted on

In Solidarity,

Anju Parmar, President