Category: Front Page

And I have been retired for over 12 years.  Retirement was one of the best decisions I ever made.  So why do I want to support CUPW workers in this strike?

Clearly it is not because I like spending lots of time on picket lines.  While I have had fun and some amazing conversations on the line, I know that picketing in the rain and wind is hard.  And, as I get older and struggle with walking and mobility issues it is difficult for me to be on the line.

But, I have gone to several lines, attended several rallies and done as much as I can do to support striking postal workers for the following reasons:

1. During my time at Canada Post me and all my coworkers fought hard to improve our wages and working conditions.  It is something I am enormously proud about.   I don’t want to see these gains eroded.
2. During the pandemic I benefited from postal workers processing and delivering my letters and parcels.   They were heroes to me and still are.   It upsets and angers me that Canada Post is now treating postal workers as villains.
3. I saw too many workers getting injured when I was working at Canada Post and I am meeting retirees who have carried those injuries and pain into retirement.  That is wrong and needs to change.
4. When I first started working at Canada Post in 1974, I made $4.24 an hour and I could afford food, rent, vacations and have money to spare.   It was great.  Now I am meeting postal workers who are struggling to pay rent.
5. I know how expanded postal services such as senior check-in services will alleviate some of the concerns my friends and family have about me.   That will certainly reduce some tension between me and them.   I want that to happen.
6. I have a secure retirement because I have a Canada Post Defined Benefit Pension Plan.   I want others to have the same.  But, if Canada Post gets away with a far less secure Defined Contribution Pension plan for new hires not only will my pension plan be possibly weakened, but others won’t have the same wonderful retirement that I have.
7.  I am mad that a company I worked really hard for has decided to take away the extended health benefits of strikers.   That is just plain mean.   And it is really cruel to deny people on short term disability leave their money during this strike.
8. With all the stuff going on in this world inspiration is hard to find.  And, when I go to picket lines or talk to strikers I am constantly inspired by CUPW members on the picket line.  I see solidarity, I see support, I see creativity, and I see determination.   This makes my life better.

So, thank you and remember the Struggle Continues.  I am with you.

In Solidarity,

Marion Pollack (Retiree)

Hello my persistent, picketing, Postie pals!

A lot of us are already fearing or feeling the financial pinch of being locked in a job action. Having updates that make it seem like there isn’t an end in sight is definitely not helping the stress level of our colleagues. A while back we were trying to notify everyone about a supportive offer from Community Savings and Loan (contact link: https://www.comsavings.com/more/contact-us). That offer still exists, and I want to share the details with all of our coworkers one more time. All someone has to do is go into a branch, open an account, and provide proof that you are an active CUPW member. If your credit score is 600+, you are automatically approved for a line of credit for $2500. That line will have a 0% interest rate, for three years! (36 months). They want us to know that they support our struggle, and they’re literally putting their money where their mouth is. If your credit score is lower than 600, their offer may still be available to you. It simply means they require a look into your financial history. If you’re one of the members who is concerned, I hope this provides some assistance. They suggest booking an appointment, so call them.

Speaking of financial assistance, our Organizing Director Kat Poch has compiled a document which helps address most of the problems that someone could be facing. It’s her financial hardship strike kit, and I suggest you have a look at it here!

(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zOaEliEpbZUguBryybpm8076eusSRhTyaVFwXepryGU/mobilebasic) It includes some web-based tools to help your planning, some groups to support us in everything from food, to health, to more personal items. There’s even a sample letter that could be used to address someone to whom you owe a payment.

This time isn’t easy for any of us, and I hope that these resources can be of use to people. Here’s hoping that we’re able to sign a well-negotiated contract soon, so we can move passed this stressful phase and get back to a more regular life.

Stay warm, Stay strong. We hope this won’t last long.

Joseph Henderson McCance 1^st Vice President

Joseph Henderson McCance 1^st Vice President

 PPC -5940 Ferguson Rd, Richmond, BC V7B 0B1 24/hours (plant)
PIF – 8340 Fraser Reach Ct, Burnaby, BC V3N 5G4 24/hours ( plant)
NFDC – 7447 N Fraser Wy, Burnaby, BC V5J 4Z3 6am-6pm
North Burnaby – 2758 Norland Ave, Burnaby, BC V5B 3A6 6am-6pm
BURNABY 3 – 6025 Sussex Ave, Burnaby, BC V5H 0A0 6am-6pm
LCD 1 AND 2  – 333 Woodland Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3P6 6am-6pm
station   F – 2160 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5N 5K7 6am-6pm
Glen Drive  – 1330 Glen Dr, Vancouver, BC V6A 3S9 6am-6pm
Station G – 2025 W 42nd Ave, Vancouver, BC V6M 2B5 6am-6pm
SVDC – 8726 Barnard St, Vancouver, BC V6P 5G5 6am-6pm
RDC – 7680 River Rd, Richmond, BC V6X 1X5 6am-6pm

Info Picket:
Downtown boxes – 495 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC 6am- 2pm

Hello Sisters, Brothers, Cousins, and Others!

l have  heard a lot of murmurs about people having their long-term assignments (now on referred to as LTA) collapsed, about people being laid off, and some general confusion in the ranks. I wanted to make this bulletin to try to address some of these concerns. Many of our members, temp/term/causal & permanent alike, have been receiving an email stating that they have been removed from our LTA. The amusing part, is that the corporation cites Article 17.06 in their email, but we’ve had our C.A entirely suspended since Thursday November 14^th in the Pacified region. Anyway…

read more here

Important Notice to All Members:

We have been informed that Canada Post is contacting our members with notices of “Temporary Layoffs.” This is a scare tactic being used by the employer to divide us.

Please be aware that this is happening nationwide. If you receive such a call, we urge you to take the following steps immediately:

• Apply for EI benefits with Service Canada immediately
• Send your full name, date of hire, and employee number to the Local Hall at [email protected]  

Additionally, we will be filing a grievance to address this unlawful conduct by the employer.

Stay united and informed. Together, we will ensure that our rights are protected.

 In solidarity

 CUPW Vancouver Local 846