Our Modern Automated Future
With the recent UPCE strike behind us, you can bet that Canada Post will be setting the bar at a higher level when they sit down at the bargaining table with CUPW. We need to start preparing for Ms Moya Greene’s approach to the Public Post Office and to CUPW.
The Corporation’s plan for the “Modern Post” is a reality and it is just around the corner. Canada Post has already purchased letter sequencing machines from the United States as part of their $1.6 billion modernizing plans. It is their intention to install thses machines in the new plant that will be constructed in Winnipeg by 2010. Vancouver may be next, although the sale of the building known as the VMPP is on hold. There will be a review of the facility over the next nine (9) months, towards the feasibility of retrofitting the plant for new equipment.
It is estimated that the sequencing technology that the Corporation intends to use will save the Corporation about $350 million in letter carrier wages. In the eyes of the Corporation, the benefit of utilizing the sequencing machines will result in Letter Carriers spending more time on the street delivering mail to even more points of call. This is just another opportunity for the Corporation to erode away at the time values for preparation and sortation of letter mail established in accordance with the Letter Carrier Route Measurement System.
A central part of CPC’s “Modern Post” automation program is the new delivery model for letter carriers and MSC’s. The main points of this new model include:
- 80% of letter carrier routes in major urban areas to be affected, as well as about 35% of all RSMC routes.
- About 90% of letter-sized mail will be sequenced to line of delivery by machines in plants.
- Two or three letter carriers will use each A-62 case in shifts to sort the rest of the letter mail, flats, and packets.
- 80 – 85% of letter carrier routes would be motorized where the new “Delivery Model” is in place.
- Motorized letter carrier routes would deliver all items for their delivery area, including parcels.
- Foot routes will remain in high density areas, generally the downtown core of cities with MSC parcel delivery in these areas.
The Corporation’s vision for the “Modern Post” has severe implications for Group 2 employees. We can expect to see job loss, dissolving of job classifications, overburdening, and an increase in injuries on duty. We need to start preparing for the future now, our jobs depend on it.