LOCAL 846
BY-ELECTION
CHIEF STEWARD VPDC
Group 1 all shifts
At the Vancouver Local General Membership Meeting of May 29th, 2011, a motion was moved, seconded and carried by more than two thirds of the membership present to amend the Vancouver Local By-Laws as follows:
We move that Article 5.1 B 6 be amended to read: “VPDC Group 1 All Shifts (two representatives).
The resulting additional position is now open for election. Continue reading “BY-ELECTION CHIEF STEWARD VPDC Group 1 all shifts”
A rally for Locked-out Rocky Mountaineer workers (Teamsters Local 31) is being held at 4 pm this Thursday, July 7, 2011 at the Vancouver station located at 1755 Cottrell Street (Just off Terminal near the Home Depot). NDP MP’s/MLA’s and press have been invited to attend. CUPW members and allies are being asked to show their support and solidarity with our fellow Union brothers and sisters, many of whom stood with us on our picket lines and have now been unjustly locked-out by an intransigent employer that refuses to bargain in good faith. Sound familiar?
Hope to see you there!
Bill C-6 was passed today by the Senate and was given Royal Assent at 5:30 p.m. Pacific time. This means that the law comes into effect 24 hours later at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 27, 2011.
All members who would not normally be at work at this time should report for their next shift.
All members who would normally be at work at 5:30 p.m. Pacific time, should report to work at the normal starting time for their shift. CPC has made a commitment that the collective agreement will apply for the entire shift.
All members should contact their local executive, or picket captain, to learn about any back-to-work activities that may be planned.
Calling all picketers and members. Come to the Rally for Respect. Please wear black.
11:30 a.m. at the Vancouver Mail Processing Plant tomorrow, Monday, June 27.
It does not matter when or where your picket duty is, this will count as a picket shift.
June 26, 2011 – 11:00
Urban Postal Unit Negotiations (2011) / Bulletin
Negotiations Bulletin no. 77
With the passage of Bill C-6, the Harper government has declared war on postal workers and all working people. The anti-worker bias of this government was demonstrated clearly yesterday when the Conservative government of Stephen Harper vetoed every attempt by the opposition parties to amend the legislation. The government even said no to proposals that would give the arbitrator the ability to mediate between the parties. As expected, the government imposed a wage increase that is less than the last offer presented by Canada Post management.
The National Executive Board has unanimously decided that CUPW will return to work in accordance with the terms of the legislation. The legislation provides for enormous financial penalties for individuals and union representatives in the case of defiance. We believe that this government would use any excuse to destroy the union should we defy the legislation, and we will not give them any opportunity to do so. CUPW will be contacting Canada Post to discuss a return-to-work procedure, and we will notify you concerning the procedure for returning to work.
All CUPW members can go back to work with our heads held high. Throughout this struggle, we showed unprecedented strength, solidarity, determination and courage.
Just as we were united on the picket lines, we need to be united and strong when we are back in the workplace. We need to send a strong message to Canada Post that the lockout was wrong, and that their reliance on legislation is shameful. We need to support our shop stewards and local union representatives who will be on the front line in our struggles with management.
We are returning to work, but we are not defeated. CUPW has been legislated back to work in the past and that has not stopped us from continuing our struggle for justice and dignity. The government cannot legislate away our solidarity and determination. We will continue to work with all of the groups and organizations that have supported us, including labour unions, women’s groups, students, pensioners and our community and political allies to fight for decent jobs and pensions for all working people.
In solidarity,
Denis Lemelin
National President and Chief Negotiator
This document is available in Portable Document Format (PDF).
Please click here to download it. 
June 26 2011
To : All Local Presidents
The back-to-work legislation comes into effect 24 hours after it has received royal assent.
The Union will be contacting Canada Post on the return to work protocol. Until such time, picket lines should be maintained.
In Solidarity,
Denis Lemelin
Président national / National President
Négociateur en chef, unité de l’exploitation postale urbaine /
Chief Negotiator, Urban Postal Operations Unit