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.
ATTENTION
VANCOUVER LOCAL OFFICE MAY 13 to 17
During the week of May 13 to 17 the Vancouver Local Office will operating with a reduced staff as the majority of the local executive is attending the National CUPW Quadrennial Convention.
The Officers will have limited access to their email during this time. If there is an emergency or you require immediate assistance please contact:
Audrey Grant A/1st Vice-President 604-685-6581 ext #1
or
Joseph Henderson McCance A/Grievance Officer 604-685-6581 ext #5
If your matter is not urgent in nature, please speak to a shop steward or, you can email one of the officers. Officers emails are located at the “Contact Us” tab on our website.
We appreciate your patience and would like to thank you for your understanding.
In Solidarity,
CUPW Vancouver Local Executive
MAY General Membership Meeting
Sunday May 26th, 2019, at 1 p.m.
The Maritime Labour Centre*
50/50 tickets will be available throughout, with the draw at end of the GMM.
AGENDA FOR THE MAY GMM:
- Reading of new members
- Reading of the previous meeting’s minutes
- Business arising out of the minutes
- New Business:
- Nominations and elections:
- Organization Committee (3)
- Publications Committee (1)
- Financials
- Executive Committee Motions
- Unfinished business
- Correspondence
- Executive and Committee Reports
- Good and Welfare
- Adjournment
In Solidarity,
Chris Zukowsky
President
* Please note there is free parking in the rear of the building off of Pandora St. and access to the building is from this parking area.
Sign Language Interpreters have been confirmed.
ARBITRATION CONTINUES
May 10, 2019
Bulletin # 077
We have now completed 12 days of hearings on our collective agreement(s) arbitration.
Day 10
The tenth day of the arbitration consisted of the expert testimony from Dr. Richard Shillington on the percentage of coverage for letter carrier routes. Some of the key issues about this formula are:
- It is based on data that is over 30 years old
- Mail volumes have changed dramatically which impacts the calculation of percentage of coverage
FOODORA COURIERS WORK TO UNIONIZE WITH CUPW
Bicycle and car couriers in the Toronto area working for Foodora, an app-based food delivery company, have been working with our organizers in a campaign to join CUPW. The couriers are fighting for better health and safety protections, fair compensation for they work they perform, and for the right to join a union. continue reading here
BENEFIT RATE REVIEW
Bulletin #529
May 7, 2019
On May 1st, the Consultative Committee on Benefits (CCB) had their annual spring meeting. The CCB committee consists of three unions: CUPW, Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Canadian Post Masters and Assistants Association (CPAA) as well as Canada Post.
No Premium Increase
At the spring meeting, we discuss the costs of our benefits and whether there will be a change in premiums. It has been decided that there will be no change in premiums for the next year. The monthly premiums will continue to be:
| Benefit | Single Coverage | Family Coverage |
| EHCP RSMCs <12 hours | $1.14 | $2.05 |
| EHCP all others | $5.39 | $9.72 |
| Dental | $1.47 | $3.28 |
| Basic Life Insurance | $16.00* | n/a |
| Disability Insurance | $81.00* | n/a |
*based on an employee with an annual salary of $50,000
The premium holiday for Hospital Option A and B is also maintained.
Benefit Provider
At the May 1st meeting Canada Post also informed us that they have put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for all their benefit providers. Currently Great West Life is the benefit provider for EHCP, Dental, Vision and Hearing and Short Term Disability. Sun Life is the provider for Long Term Disability and Homewood is the provider for the Employee Assistance Program.
At this moment we do not know the impact, if any, it will have on the members but we have provisions in the Collective Agreements, which prevents changes in benefit levels. Once we know more we will update you.
Solidarity!
Cathy Kennedy
Negotiating Committee Member
Joanne Gomercich
National Union Representative
Grievance & Arbitration
RAMADAN! AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL
May 3, 2019
Islam is not our enemy. Faithful and generous people are not a burden. Ignorance, stupidity and hatred should be our targets, not people of faith. Whether Jews in a California or Pittsburgh synagogue, Christians in a Sri Lankan cathedral, or worshippers at mosques in Quebec City or New Zealand, this can and must stop. Keep on reading