Category: Front Page

 

Congratulations to brother JESUS RON

 

 

Capilano Delivery Centre recently received support from these retirees with the following letter:

Antonio Chiavattari                                          Frances Crossley                                                  Lois Perry

Barbara Gove                                                        Frank Bonvie                                                          Naomi Allen

David Flavelle                                                       James Wilson                                                        Rene Parrison

BJ Perry                                                                   Janine Timmons                                                   Richard Hanes

Bruce McRay                                                       Karmel Maxwell                                                     Rob Sawyer

Darrell Ainscough                                           Kathy Vishnikov                                                    Susan Giardin

Anyone wanting to run a similar volunteer project, please contact [email protected]

We, the following retired CUPW postal workers, support all current CUPW postal workers in their struggle to maintain their livelihoods, working conditions, and benefits. We have been there. We have spent our career in service to Canadians. We understand the hard work, and we understand how valued we are by our customers. Those of us who worked inside mail processing facilities dedicated our careers to ensuring important items were directed, with care, to their destinations. Those of us who worked in transportation made sure that those goods flowed around the country. Those of us who worked as mechanics and in tech services made sure an incredible amount of machinery and vehicles kept moving. Whether in the urban or rural operations, those of us who were letter carriers and mail service couriers saw our customers at their homes, businesses, and organizations every day, forming a bond with Canadians at their doorsteps from coast to coast to coast. We know the role that postal workers play in this country. We are used to stepping up in times of need. So many workers carried the country through the pandemic. So many of us know the feeling of continuing to serve with pride through difficult times. We have always had the ability to work together and provide vital, secure support to Canadians.

A strong public post office matter. Private enterprise is profit motivated. As it is, we have seen fair working conditions trampled by the corporation in the pursuit of profit. Over the decades, postal workers have fought long and hard to obtain and improve working conditions and wages. Many of us have suffered common and sometimes life altering injuries that could have been prevented with tenable working conditions. New work systems and staffing practices are causing a health and safety crisis, as well as diminishing the standard of service for Canadians. A post office motivated purely by profit above all else is unacceptable for Canadians and unsustainable for workers.

We are concerned that new CUPW workers could be excluded from a reliable pension system. Any kind of non-secure pension income plan is precarious. Implementation of a defined contribution (not defined benefit) pension plan, for new hires, would not only give those workers less security at retirement, but could weaken the pension security of already retired workers.

While we have concerns about steps backward in working conditions, benefits, and wages, we do see great possibilities in steps forward into expansion of services. We know the value of the network and structure that exists. Why waste it? Financial services, elder check-ins and other diverse services have been implemented in other countries and are not only possible but also highly profitable and successful. Those countries have adopted new ways for the post office to grow. As retirees, we have dedicated our lives to the post office, and we know from our combined experience that cuts are not the answer, and will only make existing problems worse.

We retirees post our names as a message of support to current Canada Post workers, and also as a message to you, our members of parliament, that Canada Post is a cherished Canadian institution. We want service expanded and improved. We want to see Canada Post succeed, and we do not want future successes to come at the expense of front-line postal workers.

Solidarity from retirees                                                                                                                                                                         

Each and every week at least 5 CUPW members in the Vancouver Local have injuries that require either medical assistance or WCB coverage. About 50% of these injuries are disabling. So, in any given year, over 260 people on our local get hurt just from doing their jobs.

This number is high but, the reality is the rate of injuries is much higher as these numbers do not include psychological injuries from bullying, workplace stress, staff shortages, harassment etc.

Postal workers have a right to be able to go to work and without having to worry about themselves or their coworkers getting hurt.

Some of these injuries are true accidents, for example letter carriers tripping and falling on uneven sidewalks, but far too many of these injuries are preventable.

Canada Post tells us that we need to be more careful when we work, and that statement is correct. It doesn’t mean we should ignore the hard reality that many of our injuries are caused by our workplace processes and practices.

 When Canada Post pressures us to get more work done because they aren’t staffing correctly, that often leads to accidents and injuries. When Canada Post does not have the proper equipment in place to help us do our work, that can also cause injuries. When Canada Post forces new methods onto letter carriers who process and deliver the mail, such as SSD, we can bet that the number of injuries is going to increase yet again.

CUPW Vancouver reps have met with Canada Post management on many occasions to raise concerns, complaints, and to push for a psychologically safe workplace. Sometimes, we have made gains for our workers. Some of these improvements are long lasting. Far too many are, unfortunately, short lived.

No one goes to work to be injured. We go to work so we can support ourselves, our families, and pursue things that bring us joy. This is why it is so important that on April 28^th we remind Canada Post that they need to take real and concrete steps to protect our health and safety.  We need to tell Canada Post we want actions and not just words.

Monday April 28 is the National Day of Mourning. It commemorates workers who have been killed, injured, or suffered illnesses due to workplace-related hazards, and occupational exposures to poisonous or toxic substances. This day was established by the Canadian Labour Congress 41 years ago and is now observed by workers in 100 other countries.

Our health and safety have been an issue in this round of bargaining and it was an issue that CUPW raised in front of William Kaplan, the Industrial Inquiry Commissioner. His report is due on or around May 15^th.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has an important message to Canada Post: Today, and every day – Workers are important – Protect us!!!!

In Solidarity,

Anju Parmar, President

 

Congratulations to  brother  Edward Wan  for winning the elections for  the position of    Education Director.

 

In Solidarity,

Anju Parmar

 

 

Thursday, April 24   at    7pm

Maritime Labour Centre

1880 Triumph street

Vancouver

Agenda for the April GMM:

1. Land Acknowledgment
2. Reading of Truth and Reconciliation: Calls to Action
3. Reading of Harassment Policy
4. Reading of new members
5. Financials
6. Dues Waivers
7. Reading of the previous meeting’s minutes
8. Business arising out of the minutes
9. New Business
10. Nominations and elections:
    1. By Election: Organizing Director
    2. LCRMS Committee (Open)
    3. Regional Delegate Alternate (1)

read more here

April 10^th 6:30pm Thursday,

Zoom Video/Phone Conference’

You must register in advance for this meeting. Registration Deadline: Wednesday, April 9^th at 6:30 pm.

Link to register 

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/blxlfGyPTOO8d5Y_oLpagg

*Due to the information needed to be sent to participants, and the time required to authenticate registrations, all participants must register by the deadline above. *

Admission to the meeting will close fifteen (15) minutes from the start of the meeting.

AGENDA:

To pass the budget for the national campaign “Hands Off My Post Office” during federal elections.

In Solidarity,

Anju Parmar, President 

** Sign Language interpreters are confirmed**

lb/CUPE-3338